Huddersfield Town frontman Joe Lolley believes England can reach the latter stages of the World Cup.

Roy Hodgson’s side have been handed a daunting group, featuring both Copa America holders Uruguay and Italy, their first opponents on June 14, as well as Costa Rica.

But the former Kidderminster man is confident England can progress.

Joe Lolley says England could reach quarter or semi-finals
Joe Lolley says England could reach quarter or semi-finals

Lolley stopped short of touting the Three Lions as potential winners, but is bullish about their chances.

“As much as I would like to say we can win it, I think it will probably be either the quarters or the semis,” he said.

“I think if we got to the semis it would be a great achievement, and I think we are capable, but winning it may be a step too far.

“But I think we’ll do better than in previous tournaments.”

Much has been made of England’s cluster of promising youngsters.

And although Lolley, 21, was unable to pick a stand-out star among the 23-man squad, he was quick to praise Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling.

“I don’t think anyone particularly stands out,” he added.

“(Wayne) Rooney is key. If he plays well, we’ll play well, but I don’t think anyone will have a stand-out performance as such.

“I think, as a team, we have got a stronger squad this year, a more exciting squad with a bit more pace and hopefully people are going into it in form.

“With the likes of Sterling and (Adam) Lallana, it will be exciting.

“I think Lallana will play quite a bit, but I’d like to see Sterling as well.

“I think he’s been so good for Liverpool in the last three or four months especially and, with his pace and the way he runs at players, I’d like to see him on from the start.

“If he does, I think he’ll do well, so I think Sterling will be the one to have a breakthrough World Cup, so to speak.”

While Lolley has an optimistic outlook on England’s chances, he is struggling to see past hosts Brazil as the tournament winners.

“I think it’s out of four - Argentina, Brazil, Spain and Germany,” he explained.

“I’m going to go for Brazil. The fact it is in South America and they are the home country will play a big part.

“Defensively, they’re strong, surprisingly for the Brazilians, so I think they’ll do it.

“I’m tipping Argentina to do well, because other than England I want them to win it, and I’ve got (Lionel) Messi down as top scorer.

Argentina and Barcelona sensation Lionel Messi will win the Golden Boot, according to Joe Lolley

“I think Argentina have got a pretty weak group so I’m hoping if Messi scores three in the opening stages and then a few more in the knockouts, he might win the golden boot with five or six.”

The January signing from the Conference is also expecting big things from another South American side, Chile, and feels they could be the tournament’s dark horses.

“Belgium aren’t really dark horses anymore,” he said.

“I think everyone knows how strong they are these days.

“I like Chile and the way they play.

“I think they could surprise a lot of teams but apart from that, I think it will be the usual names.

“Maybe Colombia, but if Falcao is out, they might struggle a touch.”

Lolley is working to build up his fitness for the start of Town pre-season training in July, but will also be tuning into all the action in Brazil with his friends.

“With all your friends supporting different teams, I just love the atmosphere of everyone watching as a group, whether at home or at the pub, and coming together.

“You share that feeling if you win or lose with your friends and that doesn’t happen too often, so I enjoy that.”

The tournament opens on June 12, when five-time champions Brazil face Croatia.

With the hosts having failed to progress beyond the quarters since winning the trophy in 2002, the pressure in firmly on.

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