England coach Roy Hodgson admitted Thursday that he fears the damage Italian playmaker Andrea Pirlo could cause when the countries clash at the World Cup.

"The player I fear the most? We respect everyone but if I have to name someone it would be Andrea Pirlo," said Hodgson in an interview with Mediaset.

"Pirlo has played in Italy for 10 years. I coached him for six months (1998-1999 at Inter Milan). He has had an incredible career."

England and Italy have been drawn in the same group at the World Cup finals along with Uruguay and Costa Rica and will meet on June 14 at Manaus.