Despite an injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as well as Franck Ribery and Marco Reus missing out on the World Cup, the Three Lions skipper wants his side to be fully committed

England captain Steven Gerrard has called on his players not to hold back against Honduras despite the Three Lions’ World Cup opener being just a week away.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain faces missing the tournament after injuring knee medial ligaments against Ecuador while France and Germany have both been dealt blows after news that Franck Ribery and Marco Reus have both been ruled out.

But Gerrard feels that the team shouldn’t be afraid of making tackles when on the pitch as heading into the tournament on the back of a win will boost morale ahead of the clash with Italy on June 14.

“We still have a while to go [before the World Cup starts], but hopefully we will come through this game with a good performance, a win and no more injuries,” he told reporters.

“This is the time for no stupid tackles in training, but in the game there will be no holding back.

“That will be the case against Honduras as we want confidence going into the match against Italy.”

Gerrard was left out of Roy Hodgson’s side against Ecuador, but is expected to return on Saturday, though the manager has revealed that his side is unlikely to be the same one that is selected to face Cesare Prandelli’s side in Manaus.

That could mean further starts for the likes of Ross Barkley, who impressed in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw, and Gerrard believes the younger players in the squad will pose Hodgson headaches as they head to the tournament in Brazil.

“They’re loving being out with us and are growing every day. They are going to give the manager selection problems and I wouldn’t want to be in his position.

“One of my roles is to look out for the younger lads and put my arm around them when needed – it was same for me when I was a young England player.

The Real Madrid star says he would welcome the Liverpool striker to the Spanish capital, despite the competition the move would bring

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema says he is not worried by the prospect of his side signing Luis Suarez this summer.

The Santiago Bernabeu side, fresh from winning the Decima, have been strongly linked with a move for the Liverpool forward.

Benzema’s position in the Madrid starting line-up would undeniably jeopardised by the Uruguayan’s arrival but the France international says he is not in the least bit perturbed.

“I’m not under any special pressure about it [a potential move for Suarez],” Benzema told Marca. “Suarez is a great player and has had a great season. If he comes, he’ll be a help.”

Indeed, Benzema said he has no intention of leaving Los Blancos any time soon, revealing that he is hoping to secure a contract extension.

“I hope to reach an agreement with Madrid,” the 26-year-old stated. “There is no other club like this one.

“Every year I feel better and only think about Real. I’m happy here with my family. My parents go where I go; they come to see me a lot.”

Benzema admitted that Madrid were delighted to have finally realised the club’s dream of claiming a tenth European Cup but revealed that they are already thinking about winning everything next season.

“I went to Real Madrid to win La Decima,” said the forward. “I dreamed all my life about that trophy and I’m very proud.

“I’ll never forget it. But football moves on quickly. Luckily, we now have the World Cup, but what we have done will always be in a player’s career.

“We want the six titles [next season]. Real Madrid have no choice.

“We have the Club World Cup, the Spanish Super Cup, the European [Super Cup], the league, the Champions League again and the cup [Copa del Rey].

“We have to win it all. And we can, because we are a great team.”

However, Benzema argued that coach Carlo Ancelotti, who only arrived in the Spanish capital last summer, has allowed Madrid’s stellar squad to realise their full potential.

“[Ancelotti’s secret is] staying calm, above all not driving us crazy,” the former Olympique Lyonnais ace explained.

“We’ve always been clear about everything. We’ve always been tight as a team and then all the talent in the group makes the difference.”

The Spain international is excited by the prospect of facing Real Madrid in the European Super Cup, with the Reds having been told to pay €22 million for his services

Sevilla full-back Alberto Moreno denies that a deal is in place for him to join Liverpool from Sevilla and says that he is still “dedicated” to the club.

The Reds have already had one bid rejected for the Spain international and Goal understands that Brendan Rodgers’s side have been told to pay €22 million [£17.8m] for the 21-year-old by the Europa League winners.

Moreno told a press conference that his future is far from clear and that he is happy to stay with Unai Emery’s side.

“All I know is that I’ve been a Sevillista since I was a kid. My future? I do not know about that,” he told reporters.

“That’s a matter for my father and my agent to deal with. I have four years [left on my contract], I am dedicated to playing [here] and I’m happy.”

The Spaniards’ Europa League final win over Benfica in Turin means that they will take part in the European Super Cup against Champions League victors Real Madrid in August.

Moreno is looking forward to the match in Cardiff and is hopeful that Ivan Rakitic, who is on the verge of a €20m [£16m] move to Barcelona, could yet be alongside him in the line-up.

“Hopefully I can play in that match and win such a big title, particularly against Real Madrid, and hopefully Rakitic will be there with us, who’s a great person and team-mate,” he enthused.

“As soon as we return to training on July 7 we will start preparing for the match.”