Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson believes Gary Cahill has all the tools to become a manager.

The veteran defender joined Palace last summer from Chelsea and has impressed Hodgson with his leadership skills.

"After his career, I see absolutely no reason why he won't go on to be an excellent coach and manager if that's the line he wants to go down," said Hodgson. "More and more, players these days have more opportunities when they stop playing.

"They can go down the traditional route which has existed for players for many years. First, you play for as long as you can, then you start off as a coach and then hopefully you become a manager off the back of that.

"But there are players today that decide, 'I'm not going to go down that route because there are other opportunities open for me to use what I've learned in the game'.

"But I do know one thing, that if Gary wants to be a coach and a manager he will turn out to be a very good one.

"I always like to see players who have had good careers and are good characters going into that line of business because it gives something back to football and back to the young players who need their help and education."