Henderson: We need to improve in front of goal

Roy Hodgson's side played out frustrating draws with both Russia and Slovakia as they navigated the competition's group stage, failing to make the most of the series of chances they created in both games.

The latter result ensured the Three Lions were pipped by Wales to top spot in Group B, an outcome that has ensured their route to the final appears far more tricky on paper than it might have.

But, while Henderson acknowledges the need for improved finishing, he is confident that the amount of chances created by his teammates bodes well.

"For the complete performance, we definitely need to improve in front of goal," he said.

"We’re creating chances. We just need to finish teams off. At some point we will win by two or three but we just need to improve in that final third.

"I think our finishing is certainly something we need to improve on. When teams have sat in against us we’ve struggled to find the net. But we’ve got enough quality. We need to make sure that in the games coming up we finish teams off properly.

"For 90 minutes we dominated against Slovakia. I still feel we created some good chances but we just couldn’t quite get the ball in the back of the net."

The Liverpool captain made his first appearance of the tournament as England played out a 0-0 draw with Slovakia in Saint-Etienne on Monday. 

He accepts that competition for places in the squad is high, and so was pleased to get a run-out in midfield. 

"I am ready to play when the manager tells me to. Obviously Wayne is a big player for us and he’s the captain and when he came on I thought he did very well," he added.

"But the 23-man squad is used the best we can to use players and rest players.

"For me, it was nice to get on the pitch again and be involved in a good performance.

"I felt as though we looked fresh. I felt we were winning the ball back very quickly, and I felt the players who came in played well. I feel the manager wants to use the full squad and felt we benefited from that.

"This has been the toughest season of my career so far, just because of injuries. It has been difficult, mentally, physically, so even to be here is an honour for me because I didn’t think I was going to be here.

"I always felt if I kept working hard and training hard I’d get an opportunity, and it came against Slovakia and hopefully the manager was happy with my contribution.

"But I think the midfielders have done very well.

"Dele Alli has been brilliant, Eric Dier has been brilliant and Wazza [Rooney] has been fantastic. So there’s a lot of competition in the middle of the park

"I’ve seen Wayne play there for United a few times and he’s done well.

"He’s a very good footballer. It doesn’t really matter where he plays. Over three games he’s done very well."