Saints captain Adam Lallana played the entire game as England finished off their preparations for the World Cup with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Honduras.

Lallana was named in the starting line-up by the national team manager, Roy Hodgson, increasing the likelihood that he will be included among the eleven selected to face Italy, in Manaus, next week.

The 26-year-old's former teammate, Rickie Lambert, was introduced as a late substitute at Sun Life Stadium, in Miami, while fellow Saints star Luke Shaw was an unused substitute.

The game against World Cup minnows Honduras represented England's final warm-up game ahead of this summer's tournament in Brazil, with the squad flying to South America immediately after the match.

An electrical storm resulted in the contest being stopped for a total of 43 minutes during the first half.

Hodgson's men kept possession well in the early stages, perhaps in preparation for the style they will need to play against Italy next Saturday.

Danny Welbeck managed the first shot, with just four minutes on the clock, stinging the palms of Honduras keeper Noel Valladares, but getting a knock for his troubles.

The Manchester United attacker eventually stopped limping but the sight was a concern - much like Glen Johnson's early defensive play.

Back in the side after James Milner played makeshift right-back against Ecuador, first his clumsy touch gave away a corner from which Victor Bernardez blazed over and then he was unable to prevent Carlo Costly clipping over a cross.

They were, however, rare nervy moments for England, who returned to the attack, with Steven Gerrard skewing a strike wide, before Valladares somehow spilled a 30-yard Wayne Rooney free-kick.

A loud crack of thunder rang around Sun Life Stadium as Rooney overran a ball, before he linked-up with United team-mate Welbeck to set-up England's best chance yet.

The latter played the ball out wide to Rooney, whose delivery back across was met by a neat stepover by Welbeck, allowing Sturridge to spin and strike a left-footed shot inches wide.

That was the best moment of the match and the last before an unforeseen break in play.

The players went to the sidelines for what appeared to be a drinks break, only for the stadium announcer to reveal the match was being halted "due to inclement weather, with associated lightning".

Both teams trudged off the field, with referee Ricardo Salazar calling a 30-minute break as fans were advised to go inside the concourse.

There were concerns whether play would start again but, after a warm-up, the match resumed at 5.51pm - 43 minutes after play was suspended.

Jerry Bengtson prodded a tame shot at Joe Hart soon after play began and there was a hairy moment when Luis Garrido caught Gerrard with a late tackle.

The midfielder was booked for the challenge, which came as Sturridge hobbled around in discomfort.

The Liverpool forward appeared to run off the knock, only to take another blow somewhere more delicate.

Having had his feet swept away by Emilio Izaguirre, Sturridge had the ball smashed at him from close-range. He immediately rose to his feet and confronted the Celtic left-back, who was duly cautioned for the unnecessary kick.

The resulting set piece came to nothing, as did a 22-yard free-kick from Marvin Chavez, whose effort dipped onto Hart's net.

Calls for a penalty following a Maynor Figueroa challenge on Jordan Henderson fell on deaf ears, before Lallana, playing on the right, showed quick feet to set-up a strike that deflected just wide.

England were by now lacking the composure they had shown earlier and Wilson Palacios came inches wide via a touch off a defender.

Hart flapped at the resulting corner and Figueroa hit the side-netting, before the half-time whistle was called.

Gerrard and Rooney were replaced for the second half, with Jack Wilshere and Ross Barkley the players introduced.

The Everton playmaker impressed against Ecuador on Wednesday but afterwards Hodgson expressed his frustration at his knack of giving away possession.

That was evident within 30 seconds of his introduction, yet soon after Barkley showed just why he is so highly-rated, linking-up with Wilshere before curling wide from 25 yards.

The 20-year-old's nifty footwork drew a foul out of Bernardez moments later as the Honduran tackling became increasingly robust, with Hodgson visibly angered with Brayan Beckeles for a hefty challenge on Welbeck that saw him booked.

The United attacker dusted himself off and, maybe still shaken, chipped wide when well-placed, before Valladares rushed off his line to deny him soon after Barkley was denied by a fine tackle.

The match was becoming increasingly ill-tempered and Bernardez fizzed a free-kick across the face of goal after a Lallana challenge, who was booked and given a final warning soon after.

The referee would not have to wait long to produce a red card, though, Beckeles recklessly challenged Baines in the 65th minute.

The defender caught the Everton left-back with an elbow, leading Salazar to hand him a second yellow and an early bath.

A number of changes followed, including the introduction of ex-Saint Lambert, but England could find no way through.