Gary Lineker has attempted to defuse a potential row with Roy Hodgson by insisting he is right behind the England coach.

Hodgson reacted badly in the aftermath of last night's 0-0 draw with Ukraine when informed of the negative reaction back home, which Lineker had been partly responsible for.

In a series of tweets, Lineker had condemned England's inability to retain possession, at one point describing the Three Lions' display as "awful", although he did delete that observation.

Hodgson said he was surprised by the negative criticism and now Lineker has outlined what he meant by his observations.

"Decent result from a team missing a few key players," said the second-highest England scorer of all-time.

"My only criticism, but it's a crucial one, was the inability to pass the ball accurately. Effort, defence, tactics, spirit, all sound.

"Roy Hodgson can't be blamed for some of England's finest having a bad night. With injured players returning his options will be greater.

"He may play Carrick as he's the only natural holding player we have, as well as our best passer. But who to leave out? Age old dilemma.

"Finally, I'd like to make it clear that I'm fully supportive of Roy and think he's doing a good job. Onwards."

An argument between such a high-profile figure and the England coach would hardly be ideal given the importance of next month's encounters with Montenegro and Poland.

Yet Lineker's observations about ball retention are shared by many and, in fairness to Hodgson, pre-date his time in charge by some considerable margin.

With Paul Scholes now retired, England have no-one as consistently good at keeping the ball as Carrick but he was deemed surplus to requirements in Kiev as Hodgson opted instead for a three-man midfield consisting of skipper Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Jack Wilshere.

The latter of the players underperformed on Tuesday night, although Hodgson insisted there was a legitimate reason for it.

"Jack is still looking for full fitness," said Hodgson. "That is why we took him off in the second half.

"We certainly saw a much more effective Jack against Moldova, but he still did his work against Ukraine and, tactically, did all the things I asked of him."

The surprise was that when Hodgson opted to replace Wilshere, he did so with Ashley Young rather than Carrick, which triggered James Milner's switch into central midfield.

Hodgson added: "It's a very tight group and there are a number of teams who can still qualify.

"It only becomes a must-win scenario when you know if you don't win you cannot qualify. That would mean being outside the top two.

"If you are second in the group there are always the play-offs and that is where the must-win scenario kicks in."