Roy Hodgson pleased with youngsters

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 12: Roy Hodgson manager of England and his assistant Ray Lewington (R) applaud before the FIFA 2014 World Cup Group H qualifying match between England and San Marino at Wembley Stadium.

Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson is pleased with the development of his squad, with several youngsters giving a good account of themselves during the match against San Marino last Friday. Young players such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck all gave excellent performances in the 5–0 win.

Manchester United goal-poacher Danny Welbeck, in particular, enjoyed a brilliant match against the minnows of San Marino at Wembley Stadium on Friday. In the 34th minute of the encounter, the front-man managed to gain a penalty kick, which was converted to a goal by his club teammate Wayne Rooney. A mere two minutes later, Welbeck scored the second goal of the evening, with a back heel from close range, before completing a brace after 72 minutes of play.

Roy Hodgson: “Danny Welbeck might not have been a surprise selection for the Euros, but his name wasn’t exactly on everyone’s lips when I included him in the squad. But he handled the Euros very well, and he’s a young player who is learning and improving all the time. He has to fight very hard just to get a place in the Manchester United team, with the quality of the competition he faces there. But Welbeck was one of a number of very young players on Friday, and none of them disappointed.”