Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has defended Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli over his diving claims.

Hodgson, who gave Alli his first England cap, insists the Tottenham midfielder attracts fouls because of his style of play.

"It's never been mentioned," said the Eagles boss. “I'll let other people mention that.

“We do our team talk about Tottenham and discuss their players but we certainly don't discuss Dele Alli and diving because I don't think he does. Simple as that."

He added of Alli: “He runs with the ball and gets knocked over. In the time I was working with him I saw no aspects to his play or to his character that suggested cheating in any way whatsoever.

“Yes, he will get knocked over in the penalty area, he'll get fouled. Some will be given as penalties and some won't be, and when the penalty isn't given, people will say he dived, that's the nature of football today.

“But he's no cheat and he doesn't dive, that's for sure."