England vs Slovakia: Roy Hodgson could pay price for rolling dice if worst comes to worst in Saint Etienne

Saint Etienne proudly boasts about the eco-friendly status of the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard and how the venue for England’s Euro 2016 clash against Slovakia tonight is now powered by solar energy and bio fuel generated from recycled chip oil.

Perhaps that is why Roy Hodgson has placed himself on the edge of a frying pan by gambling on a raft of changes to his team for a game which, if it all goes wrong for England, could send them hurtling towards a second round meeting with Spain or Germany this weekend.

Barring a last-minute U-turn by Hodgson, England captain Wayne Rooney will be one of six players rested, or dropped, from the team which started last Thursday’s 2-1 win against Wales in Lens.

Rooney, Dele Alli, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose are due to be rested, while Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling will pay the price for poor performances against Russia and Wales by being replaced by Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy.

Hodgson will quite rightly insist that his 23-man squad is made up of the best players in England and that each member is capable of performing against any opponent in France.

But so many changes for one game is a risky tactic by the England manager and he is striding towards the line which separates boldness from recklessness.

Despite moving to the top of Group B with the dramatic victory against Wales, England could yet finish first, second or third in the group.

Albania’s victory against Romania on Sunday – a win which secured third position in Group A with three points – has now made it virtually impossible for England to miss out on qualification as a third-placed team by virtue of them already having four points.

But the outcome of the Slovakia fixture, and where England find themselves at the end of it, could yet decide the fate of Hodgson and his team a Euro 2016.

Even yesterday, just 24 hours before the game, Hodgson acknowledged the risks associated with gambling on his selection against a team which beat Spain in qualification and triumphed 3-1 against Germany in Augsburg last month.

“Obviously, had we not needed to win this game, I don’t think there would be any discussion about making changes,” Hodgson said. “But as it is, I have to think a lot more carefully because we have to win the game and I don’t want to be accused of not taking the game seriously enough by making changes that people don’t understand.”

By making six changes, Hodgson has already sparked the debate about how seriously England are taking the game against Slovakia in Saint Etienne.

Rooney’s absence is the most noteworthy, with the Manchester United player impressing in midfield so far in this tournament.

The 30-year-old’s experience and status as the senior figure in the team is also key, yet he will not be on the pitch – from the start, at least – to help England navigate a hazardous fixture.

If England fail to win and top the group – a draw will also be enough if Wales are unable to defeat Russia in Toulouse – then Hodgson will be accused of playing roulette with his team’s prospects.

As group winners, England will face a third-placed team in the second round – potentially Albania, the Czech Republic of the nightmare scenario of Croatia.

If they finish in second, it will be the Group F runners-up in Nice, but with France lying in wait in the quarter-finals.

Lose and drop to third, and England will meet either Spain or Germany.

Those are the stakes in play when the selection roulette wheel spins and Hodgson, not usually such a carefree gambler, will have used all of his chips if the worst comes to the worst tonight.