England on the brink as Steven Gerrard ponders international future

The Three Lions will exit the tournament today if Italy and Costa Rica draw, following last night's agonising 2-1 defeat to Uruguay.

The England captain said: "I think I need to park that hurt and the feeling I have got and see what happens over the next four or five days.

"But if you go out in the group stage it will be a very personal low for myself and the team and I am sure everyone will feel very similar. It's not the moment now to talk about my future. But I said before the tournament that I'll be respectful to you guys (the press) so let's see what happens over the next four or five days and we'll talk again.

"Italy are a fantastic team and capable of winning both games but we're clutching at straws. The position we're in is the position we didn't want to be in coming into the tournament, relying on other people's results. It's very difficult at the moment."

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Hodgson admitted he was left "numb" after defeat to Luis Suarez and Uruguay

England need Italy to beat Costa Rica plus Uruguay and then win against Costa Rica themselves – by an undetermined number of goals – to qualify from Group D.

No team has ever lost their first two World Cup games and made it through to the knock out stages. The last time England failed to make it out of the group stage was 1958 but Hodgson believes they have given their all in Brazil.

He said: "We are more than disappointed, we're devastated. Although I don't think anyone could question the players' desire, we haven't been good enough to win the two games. Having worked so hard to get back to 1-1 I believed we would go on to win the game or at least draw, so to concede the second goal is an unbelievable blow.

"We had been in control for such a long time. After the first five minutes (of the second half) we got back on track. We've been near their goal so many times, but it doesn't matter how many times you get near the other team's goal, it matters how many times you put it in the back of the net and we haven't done that enough."

Suarez struck just before half time and then five minutes from the end to sink England but Hodgson still felt his team handled the Liverpool star.

He said: "I thought we controlled Suarez well in general play. What the Uruguayans wanted from him today, they got. He had two goal chances and he took them both."

Liverpool team-mate Daniel Sturridge also tweeted: "I feel sick right now.

"Heartbroken. Sorry to the fans and everyone back home."

Sturridge's Anfield strike partner Suarez had returned after knee surgery and gloated after his brace, insisting it was revenge for the criticism he has received in England.

"It was one of the best games I've played," said the striker, who was banned for racially abusing Patrice Evra and also biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.

"It's an amazing moment for me.

"Maybe a few days ago I thought this wouldn't be possible. Before the game too many people in England laughed about my attitude over the last few years.

"This is a very good time for me. I want to see what they think now."