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Hodgson moves to ease pressure off shoulders of Southampton's Lambert

England coach Roy Hodgson has moved to ease the pressure on Southampton striker Ricki Lambert ahead of tonight's World Cup qualifier.

Lambert is set to lead the line in Ukraine.

"I would like to play down Rickie for his own sake because it is almost a fairytale that you get selected at 31 having played in the lower leagues, then come on in your debut and score a fantastic centre-forward's goal," Hodgson said.

"On top of that you then play an important game, score one, set up two and look as though you have never been outside an England set-up in your life.

"That is some achievement.

"I am bit worried we are going to hang a bit too much on him (tonight).

"The important thing is that he plays his part in the team and makes certain he doesn't let us down in any way.

"Who knows? He might surprise us and add a third to the fairytale, but if he doesn't he is still going to be a player England will get some use out of in the future."

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