Jamie Vardy to start for Hodgson's England against San Marino following racist incident

England manager Roy Hodgson is set to start Jamie Vardy against San Marino in Euro 2016 qualifier

JAMIE VARDY is Roy Hodgson's surprise choice to lead England's line against San Marino.

 

Just a month on from question over his selection after a racism row, the Leicester striker will partner Wayne Rooney and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain up front in a 4-3-3 formation on the night the England skipper is looking to score the goals that will eclipse Sir Bobby Charlton as the country's leading goalscorer with 49. 

 

Only last month a video was made public of events recorded in the early hours of July 26 in which Vardy was heard to call a fellow gambler in a casino a racist term on three separate occasions.

 

The incident was dealt with by the East Midlands club and the FA's technical director Dan Ashworth was called in to talk to Vardy to ensure the strict code of conduct brought in for England players was adhered to before Hodgson named him in his squad on Sunday.

Hodgson has also had his say since the players met up but, that done, the England manager is now happy to trust in his abilities as a player in a game which England need to win to qualify for next summer's European Championships.

 

Jonjo Shelvey is another surprise pick by Hogdson who is set to start against San Marino

"It was dealt with by Dan Ashworth, who took him to one side and spoke to him," said England manager Hodgson. "I spoke to him. That's water under the bridge."

Vardy, 28, made a brief debut as a substitute in June when he came on for the last 15 minutes of the qualifier in Slovenia, but the choice of a player who until the age of 25 was playing non-League football ahead of Harry Kane, for instance, will surprise a number of people.

Less of a surprise was Hodgson's announcement that Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey would also start, despite the fact it has been nearly three years since his only 22 minutes of international football, also against San Marino in 2012.

"When Jonjo got his cap against San Marino last time he was in another good period in his career but a lot has happened since then," said Hodgson.

 

"He's left Liverpool, joined Swansea, and improved all the time he's been there. It's not unusual it's taken him a while to reach the level we knew he could reach. He's still only 23, a very experienced 23-year-old, but he can look forward to a long England career if he continues the progress he's been making."

John Stones' was the only other inclusion to be confirmed yesterday after a transfer window in which he remained at Everton despite fervent interest from Chelsea.

"It's a fact of life - the transfer window brings about this speculation," said Hodgson. "The way he's handled it at Everton has been quite fantastic. He's been 100 per cent concentrated, focused and motivated to play since he's been with us. It won't affect his play."