Roy Hodgson says Danny Welbeck is a shining example for young players looking to accelerate their career with club and country.
The England manager has selected the Arsenal striker whenever he has been available, and that faith is being repaid in goals, with Welbeck firing five times for the Three Lions this season.
Hodgson told FATV: “Danny Welbeck, of the young England players, is one of the most experienced because we have always kept faith with him.
“Even in the first squad I selected in 2012, Danny was in it, despite the fact that at the time he wasn't featuring for Manchester United.
“We've kept faith with him through that time until his move to Arsenal where he is now getting lots and lots of plaudits.”
Over the past few years Hodgson has had to come to terms with selecting players who are not always first choices for their clubs.
Hodgson has admitted that this poses a challenge to players expected to step up to international level – although Welbeck has passed that hurdle better than most.
“Even during those two years when we wasn't playing every week, he still did a good job when he came with the national team,” Hodgson said.
“Strangely in the last six months I have to choose less and less of these younger players who don't get a game in their starting line-ups for their teams because they seem to have broken into their starting line-ups, which I'm pleased about.
“I would like to even hope that some of their performances for England have even accelerated their chances of being one of the first names on their club teamsheet.”
Wayne Rooney took over as England captain for the fixture against Norway
Another player Hodgson is pleased to have seen take a major step up is Wayne Rooney.
The striker may be the most experienced member of the squad, with 101 caps to his name, but Hodgson says his rise to the captaincy has been seamless.
“Wayne Rooney took on two very important roles - captain of Manchester United under a new manager and then captain of England taking over after a man who he in particular admired and was very friendly with, Steven Gerrard,” he said.
“Steven did a fantastic job in my first couple of years with the national team.
“I think Wayne had to step into big shoes and I think he has done that exceptionally well and taken a lot of responsibility.”
