Baines aims to step out of shadow cast by Cole

On the surface, it would not appear there is much in common between the occasionally abrasive Everton boss Moyes and England chief Hodgson, who gives off a rather avuncular air.

Yet Baines feels there are more similarities than are immediately apparent between his managers for club and country.

"The style of management and the stuff you do on the training pitch bears a lot of similarities," he said. "They are quite close as well so maybe that's why.

"What my manager at Everton will never accept is people not giving everything they've got. The manager with England is the same."

Hodgson's patience will have been tested by the growing list of injuries he has had to cope with. Sunderland new boy Adam Johnson was the latest to pull out, with a thigh injury, joining Andy Carroll and Ashley Cole on the injury list. Cole's injury means Baines will make his first competitive start when England open their World Cup qualifying campaign in Moldova tomorrow.

Shrugs

The 27-year-old is acutely aware that, if Cole shrugs his ankle injury off over the weekend, the Chelsea left-back will be back in for the visit of Ukraine to Wembley on Tuesday.

Baines recognises Cole's status as one of the world's best defenders. But he also feels his chances of getting involved in a fight to be first choice are hampered due to never playing in the greatest club competition.

"The main thing at club level is Champions League, which is always going to be an aim. If you can do that it strengthens your chances at international level."