PARTLY as reward, partly as signal of intent, Glenn Hoddle has remained loyal to his familiar band of brothers for tomorrow's match against Cameroon at Wembley. Clearly, it is going to take something special over the next six months for a new face to break into the England coach's World Cup finals squad for France 98.
After an intense qualifying campaign, the first friendly of Hoddle's reign would have appeared to represent an opportunity for him to experiment in a more relaxed atmosphere. Instead, for what he sees as the beginning of a serious six-match build-up, the squad of 25 is largely that which secured the precious draw in Italy last month.
The changes see the form-horses Andy Cole and Chris Sutton replace Les Ferdinand and Stan Collymore, though these are forced upon Hoddle by injury. In addition, the West Ham defender Rio Ferdinand steps up from the Under-21 squad for what is likely to be the full debut that was denied him against Moldova in September by his drink-driving case.
'There will be continuity in the squads,' said Hoddle of his policy for the coming months as he works towards his final 22 next June.
'There will not be massive changes for change's sake. It is important to keep the continuity going to the World Cup.
'If you are struggling you are maybe going to make some changes but we haven't been. We have been on course and we have been improving so why change something that's working? There will be opportunities coming up but I am more interested in the shape of the team. Individuals we know about.' After next week, international football goes into hibernation until February, and it is then that Hoddle's England - who will confirm their opponents after the World Cup draw in Marseille on 4 December - are likely to take on a more varied look.
Matthew Le Tissier, Jamie Redknapp and Darren Anderton can all expect to figure, Hoddle making a point of mentioning them by name in discussing the omissions. 'They haven't played enough games yet,' he said. 'I didn't want them rushing back and not doing themselves justice.' Beyond them, it becomes difficult to see who might yet figure, though a place will always be held open for Alan Shearer.
