Sunday 23rd February 2014 13:26
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Roy Hodgson has expressed his satisfaction with England's draw for Euro 2016 qualifying and admitted he was pleased that Wayne Rooney's future had been resolved ahead of the World Cup.
The draw for Euro 2016 pitted England in European qualifying Group E, alongside Switzerland Slovenia, Estonia, San Marino, Lithuania.
The top two in each group will qualify for the 24-team tournament, along with the best third-place side and the winners of the play-offs, and Hodgson was particularly pleased to draw Switzerland, a team he used to manage.
"I am very satisfied with the draw, especially for the fans," Hodgson told Sky Sports.
"We have had some quite tough trips in recent years, and on this occasion they are going to go to places that are much easier to get to and some very pleasant places to visit.
"The name Switzerland always brings a smile to my face because I had four very good years there. They are a good team and it's a very good place to play."
In a rule change from previous tournaments, qualifying for Euro 2016 will see UEFA unveil its 'week of football' idea, with qualifiers taking place every day from the Thursday to Tuesday of double-header international weeks.
However, Hodgson voiced some reservations about the idea, saying: "The thing I am most concerned about is Thursday.
"With our preparation we'd still have to deal with top matches on Super Sunday, which means we wouldn't really get the players to do any sort of work until Tuesday. I think Friday-Tuesday would still be ideal, and Thursday-Sunday does concern me."
Hodgson also welcomed the news that Manchester United striker Rooney had on Friday agreed a long-term contract extension to stay at Old Trafford until 2019.
Rooney's future had been the subject of speculation since last summer, and Hodgson is pleased that the matter has been resolved.
"I trust Wayne and I think that even if his future had not been settled in this way he could have still focused on the World Cup," said Hodgson.
"I don't have any doubts about him, but it must be nice for him to know that he has made the decision and committed probably his entire career to Manchester United and England, and we are very happy for him, and of course we are happy for Manchester United and ourselves as well."
Rooney could be a candidate to captain England by Euro 2016, with Steven Gerrard yet to decide on his international future beyond the summer, and Hodgson has given his backing to both men.
He said: "I certainly wouldn't want to write either of those players off.
"Before I lose anybody I think I will do my best to keep them going as long as they want to keep going and they have the ability to keep going, but Wayne I am sure is a future captain of England and maybe when the day comes that Steven hangs up his boots he will be straight in there."
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