England coach Roy Hodgson has defended Chelsea wing-back Ryan Bertrand over his Twitter outburst yesterday.

Bertrand's illness was initially reported as merely a sore throat, prompting him to issue a clarification on Twitter featuring an expletive for which he later apologised.

And Hodgson said: "I think his sentiments were laudable, telling how much he wants to play for England and being a bit irritated that someone should suggest he doesn't play when he gets a sore throat, but his choice of words was wrong.

"I'm pleased to see he's apologised for it and it just reminds us how careful players of this profile have to be.

"I believe there's not really a question from the FA's point of view that he'll be charged but it's a lesson that needs to be learned and that we can all learn from."