'Loftus-Cheek doesn't have any weaknesses'

Loftus-Cheek was one of the most surprising call-ups, due to his age and the fact that he was picked ahead of the more senior Jack Wilshere, but Hodgson has backed up Gareth Southgate's decision, praising the 22-year-old midfielder.

"In the games he has played, he has been almost our best player in every one of them," Hodgson said of Loftus-Cheek, speaking with 'The Times'.

"We have Wilfried Zaha of course, but Ruben has certainly been on his coat-tails. I have not worked with many players better than Ruben Loftus-Cheek and what he can be."

"He has the chance to be a really top player at club and international level because he doesn't have any weaknesses."

That being said, the ex-England coach says he feels for Jack Wilshere, who wasn't even featured on the stand-by list for England.

"He has been unlucky because there are players who have blossomed and done well in his absence," Hodgson said.

"But there is no doubt he is a special player. Players who can show that control and eliminate players like Jack can, they are very hard to find."

"I am sorry that he hasn't found a place, but I understand for Gareth he has been quite blessed with the emergence of players like Dele Alli and Loftus-Cheek."