Liverpool fullback Glen Johnson is ready to play through the pain barrier for England.

The Daily Star says he may need a pain-killing injection to play in England's vital World Cup qualifier in Podgorica against Montenegro on Tuesday.

The Liverpool right-back has an infected toe - a problem which bothered him at last summer's European Championships.

He wasn't even on the bench for Friday night's eight-goal stroll in San Marino.

But England boss Roy Hodgson said: "Glen is okay.

"If you remember at the Euros, he had a slight toe problem that we really had to look after and funnily enough, all of a sudden it has recurred.

"But not to the same extent. It's an infected toe but there's no doubt he could have played against San Marino and we could have had him on the bench.

"However, it would have meant him having an injection and I preferred him to maintain his course of treatment.

"That way, he didn't have to put on a boot. It just gives us a couple more days."