AS LUCKLESS Jamie Redknapp hobbled out of his plans, England coach Glenn Hoddle turned his attention to Paul Gascoigne and demanded that the wayward midfielder show his commitment to the nation's World Cup ambitions, starting today against Saudi Arabia in the team's final Wembley date before the serious business begins.

Hoddle hopes his ''forceful'' conversation with Gascoigne this week, and the subsequent public warning issued over future behaviour, has provided the spark the Middlesbrough player needs to get himself right in mind, body and soul before France 98. So while Liverpool's Redknapp, much to the surprise of Football365 (yes we do make mistakes), leaves Team England after admitting his damaged knee isn't sufficiently healed, Gascoigne - rated only 60% fit by Hoddle - is given the chance to show he is STILL a must-pick player.

It is clear that Gazza, never without a tracksuit top in an effort to sweat off more pounds, has knuckled down on the Bisham Abbey training ground in recent days. Now Hoddle intends to let 31-year-old loose on the Saudis in his first international start since that famous night in Rome when he helped inspire a qualification-clinching draw against Italy.

''Gazza trains as hard as anybody even if he's not fully fit, and he's looking sharper every day,'' the coach said. "He's gradually getting there. The good thing is that he's now training totally injury free. He is not having any treatment or having to shield the ankle or the knee. He's physically fully fit and now needs more and more training and sharpness. Over these three games, he'll get more football down him and that will bring him on to full fitness.''