Former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen has suggested that England are struggling with the absence of Ashley Cole at the World Cup.

The Chelsea left-back, who is out of contract, retired from international duty last month after manager Roy Hodgson opted to take Luke Shaw as a back-up to Leighton Baines instead.

Following the Three Lions' 2-1 defeat to Italy on Saturday, Hodgson's men were praised for their attacking intent, but Hansen believes that there is a problem defensively.

The Scotsman has highlighted the issues England suffered between Baines and Wayne Rooney, who was placed on the left of midfield for the clash in Manaus.

Hansen wrote in The Telegraph: "Wayne lacks the natural positional sense and defensive discipline required to play the left-sided role on the international stage and, while his effort and work-rate can never be questioned, he did not offer the protection that Leighton Baines needed at left-back. And this is where the absence of Cole exacerbates England's problems on the left side of the pitch."

England will continue their Group D campaign in Brazil with a match against Uruguay on Thursday.

Written by
Danielle Joynson