When Roy Hodgson was unveiled as the new England manager a month ago, he admitted he would have to grow a thicker skin.

"Dealing with the mass media has been a part of my life. If I'm going to be vulnerable or lacking in any area, it might be that I don't have the thick enough skin to deal with you guys (the press). Maybe I should develop one. But I'd rather that than not have the wherewithal to do the job," he said.

Hodgson has needed the skin of an armadillo over the past two weeks as the John Terry-Rio Ferdinand row has overshadowed the buildup to their opening Euro 2012 game against France on Monday.