Roy Hodgson’s men have plenty of support behind them as they finally get going in Brazil, while Group D rivals Uruguay are shocked by the unlikely force of Costa Rica

The time has come for England to get their 2014 World Cup campaign underway and they’ve been inundated with good luck messages ahead of kick-off against Italy in Manaus.

Three Lions supporters have been congregating in the tropical city throughout the day and there have been messages of encouragement from fellow professionals, both from back home and rival World Cup camps across Brazil.

Attentions were drawn away from the Amazon every so slightly though, as the world watched Gerrard & Co’s Group D rivals Uruguay suffer a shock defeat at the hands of Costa Rica, largely in part to a virtuoso display from Arsenal’s Joel Campbell.

Elsewhere, Robin Van Persie has popped up to reflect on a memorable night for him and the Netherlands will continuing to rub salt into Spanish wounds, while Colombia players took to social media after getting their tournament off to a flying start with a 3-0 thumping of Greece.

The Liverpool youngster is trusted to make an impact by manager Roy Hodgson despite having limited game time in pre-tournament friendlies, with Adam Lallana benched

England manager Roy Hodgson has picked Raheem Sterling to start against Italy in the Three Lions’ first game of the World Cup.

The youngster played very little of his side’s pre-tournament friendlies, coming on against Ecuador only to be sent off and earn a suspension for their final warm-up against Honduras, but has sufficiently impressed the boss to face the Azzurri.

Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana drops out of the side as Danny Welbeck keeps his place in a young, quick XI who will face the team that knocked them out of Euro 2012.

With the debate settled over which combination of attacking midfielders to pick in the scorching heat of Manaus, the rest of the team is as expected, with Jordan Henderson partnering captain Steven Gerrard in the centre of the pitch.

Wayne Rooney keeps his place behind lead striker Daniel Sturridge, while Glen Johnson, Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill and Leighton Baines continue as first-choice defence in front of Joe Hart.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon misses out for Italy so Salvatore Sirigu of Paris Saint-Germain takes his place, while Giorgio Chiellini is at left-back in the absence of Mattia De Sciglio.

England starting XI: Hart; Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines; Henderson, Gerrard; Sterling, Rooney, Welbeck; Sturridge

Italy starting XI: Sirigu; Darmian, Paletta, Barzagli, Chiellini; De Rossi; Marchisio, Pirlo, Verratti, Candreva; Balotelli

The 35-year-old would be surprised if his international team-mate were to join Real Madrid and says the striker is nearing full fitness ahead of the first game of the World Cup

EXCLUSIVE
By Alvaro Jimenez 

Uruguay star Diego Forlan believes Luis Suarez will spurn the advances of Real Madrid and stay at Liverpool.

The striker handed in a transfer request last summer in an attempt to force through a move away from Anfield before scoring 31 goals in 37 games to fire the club into the Champions League.

However, that has failed to end speculation regarding his future, with Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti believed to be firm admirers of the 27-year-old’s talents.

But Forlan, who is set to star alongside Suarez for Uruguay at the World Cup, would be surprised to see his international team-mate depart.

He told Goal: “Luis Suarez is very happy at Liverpool. They are all rumours for now, if at any time he signs for Real Madrid, I will answer that question.”

Oscar Tabarez’s men kick off their World Cup campaign with a Group D clash against Costa Rica on Saturday evening without Suarez in their starting XI.

That means Forlan and Edinson Cavani will start as in attack as their talisman continues his recovery from keyhole knee surgery, but the 35-year-old expects him to still play his part.

“Luis Suarez is much better,” he added. “He is taking steps to recover well. Hopefully he recovers well and could be ready to play.”

The former Atletico Madrid man also spoke of his admiration for Diego Simeone after he guided the club to the La Liga title and the Champions League final.

Forlan said: “Simeone has contributed much. The team is in great form, fighting championships with powerful teams that have an economy three times greater than that of Atleti. You can only admire what they are doing, the coaching staff and players.”