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There were almost 50,000 empty seats at Wembley on Wednesday

UEFA Euro 2016 Group E qualifier: Switzerland v England Venue: St Jakob-Park, Basel Date: Monday 8 September Coverage: Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app; full commentary on BBC Radio 5 live.

England's Euro 2016 qualifying opponents are unlikely to attract big crowds to Wembley, says Roy Hodgson.

Just 40,181 fans watched Wednesday's 1-0 win friendly over Norway, England's lowest since Wembley reopened in 2007.

England will play San Marino, Estonia, Switzerland, Slovenia and Lithuania in Euro 2016 qualifying at Wembley.

Manager Roy Hodgson said: "We'll find it hard to bring attendances back because the opponents we're playing won't excite the public."

England's Euro 2016 qualifiers Switzerland (a) Monday 8 September; (h) 8 September 2015 San Marino (h) 9 October; (a) 5 September 2015 Estonia (a) 12 October; (h) 9 October 2015 Slovenia (h) 15 November; (a) 14 June 2015 Lithuania (h) 27 March 2015; (a) 12 October 2015

It was England's first game since they were knocked out of the World Cup in the group stages, after losing to Italy and Uruguay and drawing with Costa Rica.

The attendance was more than 7,000 fewer than the previous lowest at the revamped stadium, when 48,876 watched a friendly against Sweden in November 2011.

Hodgson annoyed by two shot statistic

"It is not easy on a Wednesday night, most schools have started the new term and it was an evening kick-off," said England goalkeeper Joe Hart.

"We are thankful for the people who came and supported us."

England begin their qualifying campaign in Switzerland on Monday before their next home match against San Marino on 9 October and captain Wayne Rooney says it is the players' job to get the fans believing in their national team again.

"We are grateful for the fans who came, there was still a lot at Wembley," he said.

"We understand that after the World Cup it is difficult for the fans and for the players too. We have to make sure we do well in this qualification campaign to make fans believe again and that is what we aim to do."

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty "Raheem Sterling was England's most dangerous player, with pace and trickery. He won the penalty that decided the game and will be a major part of Roy Hodgson's game plan in Switzerland. 8/10." Read more of Phil's ratings

Hodgson added: "If the team works as hard as they did against Norway, show the appetite and desire, and the aggression in the defending, show the exciting moves that were there for all to see, the fans will come back."

Rooney aims to please fans again

Hodgson's side failed to register a shot on target until Rooney's 68th-minute penalty at a half-full Wembley, and needed Hart to make a fine save at 0-0.

They had 63% possession throughout the 90 minutes but the only save Orjan Nyland had to make was a powerful shot from new Arsenal signing Danny Welbeck late on.

But Hodgson said: "Two shots on target? Don't give me that one.

"Don't hit me with statistics. When we had that much possession, and you talk about two shots on target?

"What about all the shots they threw themselves in front of?

"We enjoyed some positive moments, some good movement and good play. All the things I wanted I thought I saw for large periods of the game."

Switzerland's Shaqiri completes World Cup hat-trick

With defender Gary Cahill fit despite limping off with a late ankle injury, Hodgson believes his side are in good shape ahead of their opening Euro 2016 qualifier in Basel on Monday.

"I've learned that the players are anxious to defend more aggressively and be more compact in their play," he said.

"These young players are prepared to take the responsibility, to receive the ball under pressure.

"I also learned from these players that we are not restricted to playing one particular way."

Swiss watch Switzerland reached the last 16 of this summer's World Cup finals in Brazil. The Swiss last qualified for the European Championships in 2008 - when they qualified as co-hosts. They were denied a place in the quarter-finals by Manchester United's £60m midfielder Angel Di Maria's extra-time winner for Argentina. England boss Roy Hodgson managed Switzerland to the 1994 World Cup.

Arsenal defender Calum Chambers and Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph made their international debuts while Everton's John Stones, 20, produced a solid performance at right-back.

With Liverpool duo Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge starting, as well as Arsenal's Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rooney believes there is reason to be optimistic for the future.

"If you look at the squad, with Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, they are doing great for their teams in the Premier League," added the Manchester United forward.

"Being part of a World Cup and seeing how it is can only give them great experience for future tournaments, but we all have to stand up now and make sure we qualify for Euro 2016."