Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes the England national team is in a healthy position.
Roy Hodgson is expected to take a fairly youthful squad to Brazil for this summer's World Cup which has prompted 35-year old former Three Lions skipper Ferdinand to suggest that there are exciting times brewing for the national team.
"It is a brilliant position for them to be in, they have been given almost a free hit to go there and to produce," said Ferdinand.
"They have a great bunch of young players and I think attacking-wise it is the best condition we have gone into a tournament with for years, in terms of fitness, youth, fearlessness through age, and guys who have done well this season with their clubs.
"If they can replicate the form they have shown for their clubs in an England shirt in this tournament, then we are in for some exciting times."
England are up against Uruguay, Italy and Costa Rica at Brazil 2014 with their first group stage fixture against Italy in Manaus on June 14.
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