England coach Roy Hodgson says there's great cause for optimism after their Euros exit on Sunday.

Hodgson hinted Tottenham fullback Kyle Walker and Manchester United defender Chris Smalling would have been involved had they not suffered late season injuries, while Arsenal's Jack Wilshere would surely have made the squad too had he not failed to make an appearance all season.

"There is good reason for optimism," he said.

"We have some players coming through who are doing quite well at Under-21 level and I will be interested to see how they do in the Olympics.

"If it had not been for injuries to people like Smalling and Walker there would have been even more young players with us here.

"We have to believe. We have to see the positives where we can and try and ignore the fact that yes, it is another failure on paper because we have not got past the quarter-final stage.

"I don't believe there is as much negativity as perhaps there was.

"But the only way we can build upon what we have done here is by qualifying for Brazil and, when that tournament comes around, trying to better our previous record."