'Broken' Steven Gerrard will take time to consider England future

England captain Steven Gerrard admitted on Sunday that he is considering his options following his side’s World Cup exit, but denied reports he is poised to announce his international retirement.

“There’s no truth that I’ll be making any announcement within the next week,” the 34-year-old told a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, two days after England’s group-phase elimination was confirmed.

“I think I need more time. I spoke to the manager [Roy Hodgson] to ask for some time to think about my [international] future. I will not be rushing into a decision.

“I am still hurting very bad. I’m broken from what’s gone on over the last couple of weeks. I need to clear my head before I make that big decision.”

Gerrard, who made his England debut in 2000, stands to win his 114th cap against Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday – one less than the record for an outfield player set by David Beckham.

Hodgson, meanwhile, has received the backing of Football Association chairman Greg Dyke and he expressed gratitude that he would be allowed to lead the team into the qualifying campaign for the 2016 European Championship.

“I am very pleased of course that Greg and the board have come out and backed me to continue,” said Hodgson, who sat alongside Gerrard at England’s beachside Urca training base.

“We are midway through a term, there’s a lot of work to be done, but I think we are on a good path. I am very pleased I am going to be the man leading [the team].”