Smalling is on a European mission

CHRIS Smalling is not only looking forward to the challenge of making Euro 2016 a success, but confounding those doubting England's defensive capabilities.

Not so long ago Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry were the kind of players at the Three Lions' disposal - options Roy Hodgson would no doubt love to have in France.

The England boss has decided to take just three out-and-out centre-backs to the European Championship and a number of former internationals have suggested the defence could prove their undoing this summer.

Such comments have been given understandably short shrift by Smalling, even if they do provide some extra motivation.

"I think if anything it just gives you another challenge to just to prove people (wrong)," he said ahead of Saturday's Group 'B' opener against Russia.

"There is always doubts, whether it's with England or with your club form.

"It's just one of those that there is someone else that can come in and do a job better say me or someone else.

"I think it's just a time to stand up and be counted, and show everyone that you're good enough - more than good enough - to do that job."

Individual errors in the warm-up friendlies against Turkey and Australia highlighted that issues still needed ironing out, although Smalling pointed to the nation's long-standing qualities of being "tactically aware and solid".

The 26-year-old does not see England's lack of a left-sided central defender as a problem - "at the end of the day we are centre backs and we are there to defend" - and is looking forward to pressing home that point in Marseille.

Smalling is a shoo-in for the starting line-up against Russia off the back of his best-ever season at Old Trafford, running the remarkable David de Gea close for Manchester United's player of the year award.