World Cup: Roy Hodgson says England can book World Cup ticket against Poland

Roy Hodgson believes England will book their place in the World Cup tonight.

The England boss insists he will not let the security blanket of the play-offs distract them from booking their World Cup ticket at the first attempt.

Hodgson’s side will be assured of their place at Brazil 2014 if they follow Friday’s 4-1 win over Montenegro with victory over Poland at Wembley on Tuesday.

Should they slip up and the Ukraine, as expected, beat San Marino, England would face a two-legged play-off against another of Europe’s runners-up but Hodgson refused to contemplate a second-chance saloon scenario.

“No, I don’t think the play-offs will ease any fears over qualification,” said Hodgson.

“I’m not thinking of the play-offs. This is a game we want to win. I don’t think I will be satisfied if we don’t win.

“This is our game, our stadium, our fans, and we’re pretty sure we’re going to win – that’s how we are approaching the game.”

It is almost exactly 40 years since the Three Lions last needed to beat Poland in a make-or-break qualifier, Jan Domarski’s goal in a 1-1 draw infamously preventing England from qualifying for the 1974 World Cup finals.

That game has loomed large in the build-up but Hodgson said memories would not burden his current crop.

“History is important when it comes to not making political mistakes but when it comes to sport, it has no relevance whatsoever,” he added.

“Every game’s a new game and each Poland team that’s played England is different so we’re concentrating on our job.”