Goalkeeper Joe Hart will need to be at his best if England are to progress at Euro 2012, according to manager Roy Hodgson, with the Three Lions 9/4 with bookmaker to reach the semi-finals.
Expectations of a lengthy run in the tournament are more lowly than in recent times, with Hodgson having had little time to prepare a squad that has also been hit by a number of injuries.
The pragmatic veteran boss accepts that his side are not among the favourites, but hopes that Hart could give them the edge in Group D, where they take on France, Sweden and Ukraine.
Hodgson said: “If you look at the top England teams of the past, we have often had a goalkeeper that people have suggested is one of the best in Europe or, in the case of Gordon Banks, in the world.
“When Joe has played for England he has done very well and if we are to do well, there is no doubt we will need Joe Hart in top form.”
