Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has welcomed the injection of youth into the England squad.

Defoe has enjoyed integrating with genuine young players, such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Tom Cleverley, both of whom started again on Tuesday night.

Hodgson was also forced to turn to the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Ryan Bertrand to try to salvage a draw in the wake of injuries to key men such as Wayne Rooney, John Terry and Ashley Cole.

Defoe said: "I think the lads have come in and done really well.

"Ox started, Cleverley started again - it was fantastic.

"I think it's a good mix now with the older lads and the younger lads.

"So, yeah, it looks good."