England manager Roy Hodgson has stated that he expects his side to face a tough test against Moldova on Friday.

The Three Lions start their World Cup qualifying campaign against the eastern European minnows, and the home nation's boss feels it will be a tricky fixture.

"That's international football these days," he told reporters in a press conference, published by Sky Sports.

"It doesn't matter who you are playing you know that if you don't prepare for a game against a well-organised and well-disciplined side that will work very hard to stop you scoring then you're not preparing properly.

"So we are aware of that and we're also aware from the games we've studied that they're also a team that are capable of playing very well and causing problems so we won't underestimate them.

"Their bonus system is their bonus system and we have our own fish to fry. You can argue those things and debate those things as much as you like.

"Obviously if you can come in at half-time with a healthy lead everyone would like that but it's naïve to think that's going to happen.

"We're well aware that a very strong Holland team only won here 1-0 and only won away 1-0.

"So if they can hold Holland on two occasions to a 1-0 victory then what we've got to do is to make sure we get our victory.

"And if it comes with an early goal or a late goal then it's of no consequence to me.

"At the moment goal difference doesn't come into it, the most important thing at the moment is to try and get points on the board and get off to a good start in this qualifying campaign," he confessed.

By Gareth McKnight