Hull City midfielder Tom Huddlestone was once compared with football greats like Glenn Hoddle and Franz Beckenbauer.

However, the 30-year could never fulfil the lofty expectations that were forced upon him in the early parts of his career.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Express, the 30-year-old admits that his footballing career could have panned out in a much better manner.

“It could have been better," Huddlestone said.

“It has been four years or so since I got my last England cap, so that ship might have sailed but for people like Phil Thompson to mention me like that is pleasing and I must be doing something right.

“I think I could have been in a few more [England] squads previously especially when I was playing every game at Spurs and we were finishing fourth and fifth. But I wasn't really involved in the England set up, which was disappointing at the time and then I got a couple of injuries which kept me out for a while.

“Then people were saying similar in my first season at Hull but that never happened so I think after that you don't expect to be called up again regardless of how well you're playing."