Football
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Nathaniel Clyne can't expect quick role with England, Roy Hodgson says

Roy Hodgson says Nathaniel Clyne was disappointed with his bit-part role against Slovenia, but told the full-back he cannot expect to walk into the England team despite a successful season with Southampton.

Clyne has attracted the interest of Liverpool after excelling for Saints, but he has only featured briefly for England over the last two weeks.

After being an unused substitute against the Republic of Ireland, Clyne was named on the bench in Ljubljana as Hodgson stuck with Phil Jones at right-back even though he prefers playing at centre-half.

When Jones came off at half-time with an ankle injury, Hodgson shifted Jordan Henderson -- a central midfielder -- to right-back and left Clyne on the bench.

"I suppose [Clyne] was disappointed, but it was a tactical decision,'' the England manager said. "Our first thought in the dressing room was to readjust and keep those attacking subs up our sleeves.

"He's a good lad, he's been very solid since he's come in, we like him very much. I would be surprised if he did that; I spoke to him and explained what I was doing and you can't expect everyone to be happy.

"After the game when you are walking around the substitutes you won't get the same smiling faces as you do from the 11 who played. That is a fact of life.''

Henderson, surprisingly, performed well at full-back and played a key part in the build-up to Jack Wilshere's second goal with a run down the right flank.

Hodgson defended his decision-making after the match, insisting that Jones was a worthy starter ahead of Clyne.

"Jones is a quality player, we have great faith in him and we are very happy with him,'' Hodgson said. "We think Nathaniel Clyne is a very good player but I would be disappointed if I thought that on the basis of a good season with their clubs, they can walk in and demand a place.

"If I played him in Slovenia and left out Phil Jones there would have been a lot of questions like 'Don't you rate Phil Jones?' and 'Don't you think he's a man of the future?'''

After presiding over England's first unbeaten season in 24 years, Hodgson is preparing himself for a three-week holiday in the United States.

But before crossing the Atlantic, he will spend the next fortnight flying in and out of the Czech Republic to watch Gareth Southgate's team in the European under-21 Championship.

Hodgson has high hopes for England's youngsters and he would be happy to throw away an invitation to the Royal Box at Wimbledon to attend the final of the Euros on June 30 if the Young Lions get there.

"I've got three weeks in Miami with my son, then two weeks with under-21s,'' Hodgson said of his summer plans.

"I won't stay there because it is Gareth and Steve Holland's team, they don't want to see me every game.

"I've had a very nice invitation from Sir Steve Redgrave to the Henley Regatta, and an invitation to Wimbledon which will be taken if we don't reach the final of the under-21 tournament, but I will be happy to give up on the tennis. If not I will look forward to it.''

Hodgson's own future will not cross his mind this summer. The 67-year-old's contract runs out after France 2016, and no talks are planned over an extension.

"I'm just looking forward to the year ahead, what will be will be,'' Hodgson said. "I'm not giving it too much thought. [My thoughts] are to improve the team and see some exciting talents and look forward to the challenge next summer. Then it's about what's best for English football.''

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