Liverpool legend Graeme Souness says Roy Hodgson was as enthusiastic as ever about his Crystal Palace job when last speaking with him.

Hodgson was taken ill and admitted to hospital this week amid claims he was set to be sacked.

Souness wrote for the Daily Mail: "However the Crystal Palace manager situation resolves itself, I am sure Roy Hodgson would not wish it to end like this.

"I had been speaking to Roy earlier this week and I said to him 'I don't know where you get your energy from' but it was clear from his passion and enthusiasm, he loves every part of being a football manager.

"His appetite for the job is incredible because being a manager has never been harder.

"When you factor in what comes with players of today, the independence that money brings them makes very average footballers difficult to deal with. Top players you barely have to speak to but, with others, the demands are something else. Throw in social media on top and it makes it super difficult. Dissenting voices are given platforms everywhere; people with no idea giving opinions on how things should be run.

"Also owners and chairmen are a different breed to what they used to be. Some of the people running top clubs in this country I wouldn't leave in charge of a corner shop!

"But when I chatted with Roy he was still buoyant and full of confidence about the fight ahead."