The England defender was rested against San Marino on Friday but Roy Hodgson claims that the 28-year-old will be available for Tuesday’s clash even if an injection is required

England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed that Glen Johnson is in line to face Montenegro but admits that the full-back may require an injection to play.

The 28-year-old suffered a toe infection prior to Euro 2012, while a recurrence of the injury kept the Liverpool defender out of England’s 8-0 victory over San Marino on Friday.

Hodgson insists that there will be “no problem” if Johnson faces Montenegro on Tuesday after having an injection and claims that the right-back was rested for the crushing win as a precautionary measure.

“In the Euros he had a slight toe problem which we had to look after,” the Three Lions boss told reporters.

“All of a sudden it has occurred, although not to the same extent. There is no doubt he could have played [against San Marino] – we could even have had him on the bench – but it would have meant an injection and I preferred to continue the treatment so he didn’t have to put a boot on.

“We hope it will get better in the next couple of days. If it doesn’t it might need an injection but there is no problem.

“It was just a precautionary measure because I felt we had enough players without taking any unnecessary risks.”

During Friday’s 8-0 win over San Marino, supporters chanted abuse towards the Manchester United defender following his withdrawal from Roy Hodgson’s national squad

England captain Steven Gerrard insists that fans are entitled to voice their opinion over Rio Ferdinand’s withdrawal from the squad.

The Manchester United defender pulled out of Roy Hodgson’s original party after claiming that he could not follow his detailed pre-match training programme whilst on international duty.

Ferdinand worked as a television pundit during England’s 8-0 victory over San Marino on Friday evening, while fans chanted abuse towards the 34-year-old.

“I think the fans have shown their frustrations about Rio not being here. They are entitled to their opinion. They’ve spent good money to come over here,” Gerrard told reporters.

“Of course, we all wanted Rio here because he is a good player and he certainly would have helped us over these two games but he’s made his decision and we need to respect that.”

England sit two points behind Montenegro in Group H, facing a trip to Podgorica on Tuesday for their second World Cup qualifying fixture of the international break and, Gerrard says that his side are braced for a frosty reception.

“I think their supporters will make it as hostile as they can,” the skipper observed, “but I think we will be used to it and will be able to handle it.”

“I don’t think there will be that many people there and we are used to playing in front of bigger crowds but these are the type of atmospheres where they try to intimidate us. Any time you are away from home against these countries, when England are in town, the supporters are up for it.

“They are desperate to beat us and everything is against us but I think we’ve got the players in the squad to go and handle the situation and get the three points.”

England Under-21 coach Brian Eastick believes that the young Anfield star is benefiting from his club manager’s choice to withdraw him from first-team action in recent weeks

Brendan Rodgers’ decision to withhold Raheem Sterling from first-team action at Liverpool in recent weeks has helped the player, according to England Under-21 coach Brian Eastick.

The 18-year-old winger has enjoyed a breakthrough season so far, scoring three goals and adding two assists in 35 appearances for the Merseyside club.

In view of this abundance of action, Rodgers elected late last month to rest Sterling, emphasising the need to ‘nurture’ his talent, although the winger put in an impressive performance for the Young Lions against Romania on Thursday night.

Speaking to ESPN after the game, coach Eastick commented: “He was very good. Brendan has obviously rested him a little bit recently.

“He hasn’t played a great deal of football of late so getting a game under his belt with benefit him.

“He is a talented player and I think possibly that rest has helped. Brendan felt he had to take him out of the firing line a little bit at Liverpool.”

England ran out 3-0 winners on the night, as the Romanians struggled to contain both the pace and interplay between Sterling and teammate Wilfried Zaha.

Eastick added of Sterling: “He is a very young player and people forget how young he is.

“You do need to rest players at the right time. Possibly it has done him a little bit of good and he enjoyed his game against Romania. His performance was very good.”