England boss Roy Hodgson has revealed that he is delighted with the emergence of youngsters in his squad ahead of Euro 2016.

The 68-year-old opted to rest several of his key players for his side's final qualifying match against Lithuania to allow players such as Harry Kane, Ross Barkley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to occupy starting berths.

Hodgson has admitted that he was elated with their displays and believes that their performances, as well as development over the course of the campaig,n could give him problems when choosing his 23-man squad next year.

"It is quite incredible that I think so many players tonight are playing, if not their first game for England, then one of their first few games for England," Hodgson told Sky Sports News.

"Phil Jagielka captains the team and for them to go out and give that type of performance, it does give me great heart that we do have players coming through in this country, we do have quality footballers.

"And if and when we get the players back who helped us, certainly at the start of the campaign, then we will have a strong squad to choose from. These players tonight will certainly feel they have done enough to keep their names at the front of my thinking and the thinking of the coaches and that is all I can ask from them."

England won all 10 of their qualifying matches in Group E.

Written by
Simon Sinclair