Roy Hodgson sympathises with Southampton losing key players

England boss Roy Hodgson has admitted that he has sympathy for Southampton, who are likely to lose their key players in the summer transfer window.

Rickie Lambert is set for a move to Liverpool, while Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana have also been linked with transfers away from St Mary's.

Hodgson admitted that it was a pity for Southampton to be losing their players, but said it should be accepted that good footballers will naturally want to join the big clubs.

"We have got good players and I am afraid they are always going to gravitate towards the big clubs," Hodgson told reporters.

"That is where the money is. That is where the Champions League football is. It is a pity for Southampton.

"But there are always big fish in the sea and it is hard to keep those fish away sometimes."

Lambert, Shaw and Lallana have all been named in Hodgson's 23-man squad for the World Cup.