Former England manager Graham Taylor believes that Roy Hodgson should not have commented on the Football Association's investigation into John Terry.

The Chelsea captain could face a lengthy ban if found guilty of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand back in October after Westminster Magistrates' Court ruled Terry not guilty of a racially-aggravated public order offence.

Hodgson, who will take charge of tonight's international friendly against Italy in Switzerland, admitted that he hopes Terry will be "freed" from facing any disciplinary action.

"I was surprised that Roy said that," BBC Sport quotes Taylor as saying. "He shouldn't be getting involved in any comment on that until a decision has been made. I don't think it was a good thing for him."

Terry has not been included in England's squad for the friendly this evening.