Hodgson dismissed the idea of burnout for the likes of Sterling or Jones, who missed the start of the season, if involved in a tournament.
"The under-21 tournament finishes in the middle of June,'' the England manager said. "I don't think the Premier League kicks off again until the middle of August. Quite a lot of people in normal jobs wouldn't mind two months of not having any real pressure to perform. Every club will try to protect its players and international matches do impact on clubs."
Hodgson indicated that Ashley Cole would start against Brazil, winning his 100th cap.
"Reaching 100 matches is an incredible milestone," Hodgson said. "He deserves an enormous pat on the back. He has been a pleasure to work with and a really good professional. He is a two-club man. He is not a player that has flitted from club to club to get a slightly better contract. He has dedicated his time to Arsenal and then Chelsea. I am looking forward to congratulating him.
"He is a very serious footballer and a very nice person to deal with on the footballing front. He is a shy person. He is quite happy for people to judge him on his football. Unfortunately the profile players have they will be judged in other areas."
Cole has his critics, although few now among England fans, who admire his commitment. "I am expecting people to give him the credit he deserves," Hodgson said of the Wembley crowd.
England's future at left-back appears strong with Leighton Baines challenging Cole while Southampton's 17-year-old Luke Shaw has been called into the under-21s for the first time.
Hodgson insisted that Frank Lampard, chasing a 94th cap, could go on to join England's centurions, saying: "No reason why not.'' Jack Wilshere "will play against Ireland [on May 29] and come with us to Brazil".
Full England squad Butland (Birmingham) Hart (Manchester City); Baines (Everton), Cahill (Chelsea), Cole (Chelsea), Jagielka (Everton), G Johnson (Liverpool), Lescott (Manchester City), Smalling (Manchester United), Walker (Tottenham); Carrick (Manchester United), Cleverley (Manchester United), Gerrard (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Milner (Manchester City), Osman (Everton), Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Walcott (Arsenal), Wilshere (Arsenal); Defoe (Tottenham), Rooney (Manchester United), Sturridge (Liverpool), Welbeck (Manchester United).
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