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Hodgson bit back after Lineker labelled England’s goalless stalemate with Ukraine “awful” and poured scorn on the inability to keep possession in Kyiv’s Olympic Stadium.

The barbs follow an acerbic attack after May’s home draw with the Republic of Ireland when he claimed English football was in the “dark ages”, and Hodgson suggested Lineker had an agenda against him.

Last night, however, Lineker felt the need to back-track, again on Twitter – and only because of ‘enquiries from the press’ – saying: “Decent result from a team missing a few key players. My only criticism, but it’s a crucial one, was the inability to pass the ball accurately. Effort, defence, tactics, spirit, all sound.

“Roy Hodgson can’t be blamed for some of England’s finest having a bad night. I’d like to make it clear I’m fully supportive of Roy and think he’s doing a good job.”

Hodgson was taken aback by the ferocity of the initial criticism after a point kept England top of Group H and with World Cup qualification in their own hands with Montenegro and Poland to visit next month.

A bristling Hodgson told Lineker, who scored 48 times in 80 games for England and reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in 1990, his own career was not an overwhelming success.

“I’m surprised anyone who has played for England, captained England and played in games of this nature can be that critical,” he said. “This is the second time. I saw Gary Lineker play, I remember him captaining the team and playing some great games for England.

“But I’m pretty sure he played in some games when it wasn’t that easy. I don’t think every game he played for England was a total success.”