'Tottenham five's' difficult end to the season hindered England at Euro 2016, says Roy Hodgson

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Sam Long8 December 2016

Roy Hodgson says England could have "got more" from Euro 2016 if Tottenham had not endured a difficult end to last season.

The Three Lions were humiliated by Iceland in the last 16 stage of the tournament, which led to Hodgson's resignation.

The nucleus of Hodgson's squad was made up of Tottenham's players with Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Danny Rose, Kyle Walker and Eric Dier all included.

Spurs competed for the title for the majority of the season but their challenge collapsed in the final weeks of the campaign and Hodgson believes that cost the national side dearly as Mauricio Pochettino's players did not arrive for international duty on top form.

"We threw some in at the deep end but they dealt with it well," he told Sky Sports.

"Harry Kane and Dele Alli were so important for Tottenham but just before the Euros Dele got suspended and Kane got tired.

"Had we had got the Tottenham five earlier in the season, if the Euros were a month earlier, we could have got more from it," Hodgson added.

England have endured a turbulent few months since the summer but the ship has been steadied under Gareth Southgate.

The Three Lions currently occupy top spot in their World Cup qualifying group and Hodgson still staunchly believes the country has a bright future.

"If Gareth, as I believe has happened so far, can keep a good atmosphere, can keep the players wanting to play for England, wanting to continue to improve, I can only see a very positive future," Hodgson added.

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