And it was interesting to note that Toon boss Alan Pardew said at half-time during the Italy Croatia game: "I would go with two up front if I was manager of England - Welbeck and Defoe."
Yet on the BBC highlights programme later in the night, Pardew switched from Defoe to Andy Carroll.
The 23-year-old Liverpool striker has only one minute of competitive international experience with England but will be thrown in against the Swedes in order to take advantage of a perceived aerial weakness.
Roy Hodgson: "Maybe I can't satisfy everyone and other people would like to see more.
"I am realistic and pragmatic. Five, six or seven training sessions into the job we are making a fist of it.
"I am sure we will get better. Just a simple thing like the return of Wayne Rooney will make us into a stronger team and a bigger threat."