Gerrard backs Dyke's plan to HALVE the number of foreign players in Premier League.

England captain Steven Gerrard agrees with FA chairman Greg Dyke's plan to halve the number of foreign players in the Premier League.
In a speech last month, Dyke said the 'frightening trend' of the reduction in the number of England-qualified players in the top flight needed addressing. And Liverpool midfielder Gerrard has backed his calls.
Speaking ahead of England's crunch qualifier against Montenegro, Gerrard said: 'Credit to Greg, he is trying to put a structure in place to improve the statistics in terms of English players coming through so we have to give it time. It won't happen overnight.
'I read something about him trying to half the number of foreigners allowed in the country and I think that is a good start.'

Time to shine: Jack Wilshere (centre) trains on Thursday ahead of England's crunch qualifier against Montenegro

Sparring: But Danny Welbeck and Jermain Defoe will have their game faces on come Friday evening

Leading by example: England captain Steven Gerrard (right) looks set to start in the centre of midfield

'These games are up there with the most important I have played in,' Gerrard added. 'We are at a critical stage of the qualifying campaign and it's up to us to deliver.'
Meanwhile, Roy Hodgson has defended Jack Wilshere over comments he made about 'foreigners' playing for England' and believes the Arsenal midfielder has shrugged off criticism he received for his stance.
Amid the heated debate over whether Belgium-born Adnan Januzaj should be eligible to play for England, Wilshere said that 'only English people' should not be playing for England.

Striking difference: Daniel Sturridge (above left) and Wayne Rooney (below) have trained well

Striking difference: Daniel Sturridge (above left) and Wayne Rooney (below) have trained well

The midfielder was criticised on Wednesday by South African-born England cricketer Kevin Pietersen who took offence to the comments. 
He reminded Wilshere of celebrated British sportsmen who were not born in England, mentioning Mo Farah, Justin Rose and Chris Froome.
'We expect so much from Jack,' said the England manager ahead of England's World Cup qualifier against Montenegro. 'When someone comes onto the scene who’s an incredible talent you expect so much that every time they fall below the standards you’ve seen the alarm bells start.
'He’s been in good form. The unfortunate furore over his quotes have not affected him.
'I think his comments were, if not misunderstood, translated in a way people wanted to translate them.
'We’re forever complaining that players don’t have an opinion so it’s quite wrong when a player gives an opinion to riticis their opinion.
'The subject matter is worthy of debate and it’s something Greg Dyke and his commission will look into.

England train ahead of crucial Montenegro match

In the fray: Fraser Forster is hoping to earn his first cap for England in the two games

Importance: England's players must perform to ensure they reach the finals in Brazil

'It hasn’t affected Jack. He’s shrugged it off. He was asked an opinion, he gave an opinion. Some people liked it some people haven’t.'
Wayne Rooney indicated earlier that England's strikers would ensure their passage to the World Cup in Brazil next summer, and Hodgson echoed the Manchester United star's view.
'I haven’t named the team (for Friday's game). I can't comment on who will start. I’m echoing Wayne’s view that the front players have trained well.
'It's nice to see Daniel Sturridge come into the squad and look comfortable and strike up a partnership with the other players. It's nice that strikers come in having scored for their clubs.'

But Hodgson was keen to clarify that - although England were aiming to take all three points against Montenegro and Poland on Tuesday - they weren't going for all-out attack.
'We will look at all our options,' he added. 'The important thing is to make sure we attack well but we need to be careful. Can’t operate a gung-ho approach and find ourselves a goal down. That would complicate things enormously.'