Roy Hodgson backs "very helpful" international friendlies

England manager Roy Hodgson has defended the decision to stage international friendlies just a matter of days before the start of the new domestic season.

England will face Scotland at Wembley on Wednesday while the new Premier League season gets underway on Saturday, leaving just two days for some players to recover.

The schedule has come under criticism in recent years, but Hodgson believes that it will give him vital time to work with his side before next month's crucial World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.

"It is the only preparation game I am going to have with the national team before we play in September. It's very helpful," Hodgson told reporters.

"This happens to be the date FIFA have specified. It is not just England, it is the world. This is the date we have been given and the match is the one we have to play.

"If it falls kindly or unkindly for the Premier League that will have to be as it is. I need this game. I am hoping if we are sensible with the players they will be perfectly fit to play on Saturday and Sunday."

England currently sit second in their World Cup qualifying group, two points behind Montenegro with a game in hand.