Steve Foster reckons Roy Hodgson has the correct blend for Brazil but hopes the England boss lets his young Lions bare their teeth.

The legendary former Albion centre-half was part of Ron Greenwood’s 1982 squad in Spain that won their group but then bowed out in the second round of group matches, despite not losing a game.

Foster, 56, played in England’s final first round group game, a 1-0 win over Kuwait, but did not feature as goalless draws against West Germany and Spain in the second stage ended the Three Lions’ chances of reaching the semi-finals.

Hodgson’s squad for Brazil has been well received and Foster likes the look of it too as England bid to escape a tough group featuring Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica.

Look out for Steve Foster at the recording of This Time, Well Get It Right

He told The Argus: “It has experience and youth which is great and what you need.

“You can’t have an old team without young legs but you can’t have a young team without the old experienced heads.”

But Foster, who cut an unmistakable figure during his Albion days with his curly hair and headband, hopes those youngsters are given a chance to play in what will be humid, strength-sapping conditions.

He said: “We need to get people like Raheem Sterling on because they will be running at players with pace.

“The last couple of years they have tried to play a different way by keeping the ball but if you’re not used to it, it’s quite difficult.

“We are not as good at keeping the ball as teams like Spain because of the way our Premier League is played at a fast pace and by hitting teams on the break.

“I would like to see two up front. I can’t get my head round the one up front. You’ve got one striker with two to four defenders around him so how is he supposed to get the ball, hold it up and bring people into play?

“I would definitely start with Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney and play him up front.”

England have warmed up, literally, for South America’s extreme temperatures by playing two friendlies in Miami.

The attention to detail that goes into preparing the squad is very different to what Foster experienced as a 24-year-old in the build up to his only World Cup experience.

He said: “It’s a lot more in depth now. It’s not just fitness but diet and there are so many more fitness and muscle toning coaches. There are probably more backroom staff than players.

“In my day there was Ron Greenwood, Don Howe and Geoff Hurst, who was a coach as well, and then a couple of physios and a doctor. I think they have physios for the physios now.”

His memories of his call-up are still vivid, though, as he benefited from an injury to a member of the 40-man provisional squad.

Steve Foster helps England beat Kuwait in 1982. Just look for the headband!

He said: “I got in because Alvin Martin missed out with a dislocated shoulder. It all happened really quickly.

“Next minute we were based in North London and then we went over to Bilbao.”

Foster found himself under close guard as the tournament was played against the backdrop of the Falklands conflict.

He said: “At the time, war had broken out in Argentina and in the Basque country, where we were based, they supported the Argentineans so we had tanks and soldiers based at the hotel.

“We didn’t go out at all. We had one day by a pool with security guards.

“We had a recreation room with table tennis and video games, which in 1982 were games like Pacman.

“But it was different when we were based in Madrid.”

Fossie’s highlight was his one game against Kuwait but he also remembers the conditions and the disappointment of going out unbeaten.

He admitted: “Most of the players struggled with the heat so I hate to think what it will be like in Brazil.

“We did train hard and Don Howe was very good with the fitness work.

“We had two injuries, Trevor Brooking and Kevin Keegan, who never played in any games until the second set of group matches with Germany and Spain.

“We drew both games 0-0 and Germany beat Spain, so they went through and we went out without losing a match. They only came on in the last game.”

Hodgson has injuries concerns about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who is sidelined at least for the opening game against Italy on Saturday night.

But Foster, who has recently become a father again to a second set of twins, George and Henry, hopes this England squad has the depth to cope.

He said: “England should get through the first group. But you have high expectations and you sometimes get let down.

“It is between us, Uruguay and Italy. I’d rather, if we did get knocked out and I don’t want us to be, we at least give it a go. I’d rather we play with a bit of pace.

“As long as you give good performances then people will support you.”

And he believes England could get some joy from deadball situations.

He said: “I think the good thing we have is our set-pieces. Not so much free-kicks into the top corner but maybe crosses from wide for the two big centre-halves and corners.

“If you look at other squads, they are not so good at set-pieces. Spain would probably take a corner short anyway.”

Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and Ross Barkley are among the players who could all get their first taste of a World Cup.

With the benefit of experience, Foster has a little advice.

He said: “You don’t want them to be cramped by the system.

“They have to play with heart but as long as it is channelled in the right way.

“They can’t just run around.”

And if it is a flutter on the winners you are after, Foster suggests Argentina as they have such a quality squad but added: “As an outsider, I think Ghana will do well. They in a hard group but they will run all day.

“They will probably think it is cold too!”