Roy Hodgson: Danny Drinkwater is having a fantastic season

Thursday 17 Mar 2016
Danny Drinkwater has been in good form for surprise leaders Leicester City

England manager Roy Hodgson says Danny Drinkwater fully deserves his call-up for this month’s friendlies with Germany and the Netherlands.

The Leicester midfielder is the only new face in Hodgson’s 24-man selection for next weekend’s trip to Berlin and the subsequent Breast Cancer Care international against the Oranje.

“I think what he has done has been pretty evident to everybody,” Hodgson said in his press conference following the announcement of his squad. “He's had a fantastic season in a team that's having a fantastic season.

“On this occasion I thought it was a good opportunity to bring him in”

Roy Hodgson England manager

“Even last year we were aware of him but of course in that area of the field – midfield – the competition is quite fierce.

“On this occasion I thought it was a good opportunity to bring him in and to see if he can reproduce the type of football and the quality that he shows for Leicester at international level.”

Watch FATV coverage from today's press conference:

By Jim Lucas