ROY Hodgson today claimed the timing of Tony Adams' book could help Sweden spring a surprise on England today.

And he believes coach Glenn Hoddle would be happy with a draw in Stockholm.

He said: "The timing of the latest book by Tony Adams' publicists is unfortunate and is leading to the type of questions that should not be asked in the build-up to an important match.

"Every time I look at a paper I see explosive headlines which are then brought up as unwanted topics at the England press conferences.

"Hoddle will be answering them because, like any other international coach, he has learnt the art of 'double speak' - answering politely without saying anything controversial.

"But all of these issues will be irritating the hell out of him.

"By contrast, the Swedes will be able to approach this match feeling they have nothing to lose.

"Their new coach, Tommy Soderberg, a man I know very well from my 12 years of working in Sweden, is helped by the fact that nobody expects too much from them anymore.

"Sweden promise to be a handful despite the loss through injury of their main striker, Kennet Andersson, and our own Martin Dahlin," added Hodgson, writing in the Daily Telegraph.

Rovers winger Damien Johnson continued his stunning start to the season with a dazzling display for the Norther Ireland under 21s despite their 2-0 defeat in Turkey.

"We're very disappointed with the result because, from our first-half performance, we thought we could come away with something," he said.

Alan Irvine is favourite ahead of Tommy Craig and Chris McMenemy to run the Newcastle youth academy - the same position he held at Rovers before joining Kenny Dalglish on Tyneside last year.

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