England's lack of French spirit tells a tale of two countries

(But we do have issues in defence, admits coach Blanc)

Karim Benzema scored two of France's four goals (Getty Images)

"One Prize, Two Countries, Three Lions", was the slogan on the bus Roy Hodgson's squad boarded in Krakow last night. Had there been space, the sign-writer could have added "Four Players Out".

Hodgson's decision to call up Liverpool's Martin Kelly to replace Chelsea's Gary Cahill, the fourth member of his party to be injured, rather than Rio Ferdinand, means today's press conference will be dominated by the issue.

The Football Association chairman, David Bernstein, said: "We'd hope you would join us in looking forward with positive thoughts and not dwelling on... what [is] now frankly historical."

The team they will meet in Donetsk's Donbass Arena, France, arrived in Ukraine yesterday. The French people, who turned against their footballers after the players' strike at the 2010 World Cup, are again supportive. France concluded a 4-0 win over Estonia in Le Mans on Tuesday by unfurling a banner. It read: "MERCI! A l'Euro, avec vous, pour vous". ("Thank you! Off to the Euros, with you, for you".)

What wouldn't Hodgson give for a sense of bonhomie like that. Injuries plague him. John Terry trained yesterday but there are concerns about the hamstring he pulled against Belgium on Saturday, that if it goes again his tournament will be over. Terry is expected to start against the French.

With Wayne Rooney suspended for two games, Hodgson bemoaned the marginalisation of English players in the Premier League. "It's been a long-term concern for me," he said. "If you look at the Premier League and at the top teams, most of the forwards are foreign players, so you don't have that sort of choice for England. If you go through the Premier League teams, you might go through four or five teams and still count the number of English players on one hand."

But while Blanc, pictured, and his nation's 21-match unbeaten run have reconnected the team with the public, France are not without concerns. A better team than Estonia would have scored twice.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush. Our defence was not good enough," Blanc said. "It was an easy game... I said to them, 'This is not your day – the team is dominating out there and yet we're getting ourselves in trouble.' It wasn't the opposition that was causing problems. I'm talking about all four defenders."

Mathieu Debuchy, Adil Rami, Philippe Mexès and Patrice Evra were dangerously square and Danny Welbeck might exploit a lack of pace in the centre. Mexès looked particularly prone to errors and is under pressure for his place from Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny.

France's other problem is an injury crisis to midfield anchors. Yann M'Vila has an ankle strain, Blaise Matuidi is doubtful and Alou Diarra twisted his knee in Tuesday's match.