Sturridge goes boring game has changed in a moment, England is not yet ready for the World Cup. (Video)

Daniel Sturridge conjured a predatory finish from inside the six-yard box to enliven at the last what had previously been a humdrum England performance and overcome Denmark last night.

In dispatching substitute Adam Lallana’s clipped cross beyond Kasper Schmeichel in the 82nd-minute, the Liverpool striker should also have proved to Hodgson the merits of deploying him in the positions in which he has been so effective this season.

For much of a tepid evening it appeared it was not simply the stadiums in Brazil that are behind schedule for summer in what was the final workout before Hodgson names his 23-man squad and seven standby players.

Yet the England coach’s use of Sturridge on the sides of a front three rather than in the middle meant it was no surprise the Danes went untroubled for long periods.

If there were other positives, then they came in the enterprising cameo from Sturridge’s club-mate Raheem Sterling, 19, who displayed tenacity as well as technique and Ashley Cole also impressed before ceding the spotlight to Luke Shaw who was equally assured on debut.

A number of jet-heeled youngsters have pushed their way to theforefront of Hodgson’s thoughts, epitomised by the relentless approach of Sterling who was rewarded with his second cap.

The teenager’s inclusion boosted the contingent of Liverpool players to five which was the most the Anfield club has had in an England starting XI since a 2-0 win over Luxembourg in October 1977.

The one chance Sturridge had on the stroke of half-time brought an excellent save from Schmeichel, who spread himself in a manner reminiscent of father, Peter, and, came from Gary Cahill’s flick off Wayne Rooney’s corner.

Sterling, then having switched to the left, picked out Rooney with a clever pass over the top, but though he reached the ball before Schmeichel a left-foot shot whistled wide.

It came moments after Steven Gerrard found the aptly-named Casper Sloth dawdling 10 yards outside the visitor’s penalty area, pouncing to win the ball before being unceremoniously hauled down on the edge of the area.

Rooney’s set-piece was too high but the chance was a reminder of Gerrard’s importance to this England side. It is a worry that who plays alongside himself in the summer remains unclear.

Briefly, as Denmark skipper Daniel Agger caught Jack Wilshere in a full-blooded duel, Hodgson must have worried one option was being denied him. The distressed Arsenal midfielder sat on the turf, dabbing at moist eyes and pawing his left ankle and a stretcher was called for.

Wilshere, thankfully, clambered to his feet and continued though, like that of Jordan Henderson, his contribution was decidedly low-key.

It is imperative that by the time England play Peru here on May 30 Hodgson solves the midfield muddle, and it will be in his thoughts he may have to ask two players to hold against Italy in Manaus on June 14.

England’s defence remains a weak point and the sight of Jakob Poulsen marauding onto Michael Krohn-Dehli’s pass spread panic until Ashley Cole soothed nerves.

Cole impressed in defence and attack where he linked with Rooney and delivered a centre that Sterling, under pressure from Peter Ankersen, tried to turn home from a yard out only for the ball to hit the post.

It was the best half Cole had played for some time, if only because it was the most he had played, and he was replaced at the interval by Shaw.

The Southampton youngster made the adaptation to this rarefied level seamlessly, strong in the challenge and adept going forward.How Hodgson decides one over the other remains to be seen.

Had substitute Morten Rasmussen, freshly on for Nicklas Bendtner, managed to find a way beyond the alert Joe Hart after the ball squirted to him in the 65th-minute, England’s night could have taken a turn for the worse.

Danny Welbeck, a replacement for Rooney, twice forced excellent saves from Schmeichel who also denied Sturridge from distance as the hosts belatedly roused themselves.

But whether it is Cole not Shaw, or Shaw not Cole, there is more for Hodgson to consider than simply that today.

England vs Denmark Friendly Match Stats

England: Hart 6, Johnson 6.5, Cahill 6.5, Smalling 6, Cole 6.5 (Shaw 46, 6.5), Wilshere 4.5 (Lallana 59, 6.5), Henderson 7 (Oxlade-Chamberlain 77, 5.5), Gerrard 7.5, Sterling 7 (Townsend 86), Rooney 6.5 (Welbeck 60, 6), Sturridge 7 (Milner 88).

Subs Not Used: Ruddy, Foster, Forster, Baines, Caulker, Carrick, Lampard, Barkley, Cleverley, Lambert, Defoe, Rodriguez.

Goals: Sturridge 82.

Denmark: Schmeichel 7, Sloth 6.5 (Zimling 62, 5), Agger 5.5, Kjaer 6.5 (Bjelland 62, 5.5), Peter Ankersen 5, Kvist Jorgensen 6, Jacobsen 5 (Juelsgaard 46, 5.5), Poulsen 6 (Olsen 81), Krohn-Delhi 6, Larsen 6 (Kusk 46, 5.5), Bendtner 6 (Rasmussen 62, 5.5).

Subs Not Used: Andersen, Lossl, Kahlenberg, Delaney, Jacob Ankersen, Makienok Christoffersen.

Booked: Sloth, Rasmussen.

Att: 68,573

Ref: Kevin Blom (Holland).

MOM: Steven Gerrard

England 1 Denmark 0 Match Video

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