England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed that he is monitoring the progress of a number of England national team hopefuls.

Mark Noble, Ryan Shawcross, Scott Dann and Troy Deeney are all being considered as Hodgson gets set to name his squad on Thursday for upcoming friendlies with Germany and Holland.

Hodgson has often been criticised by many for favouritism when it comes to selection of players for the national team.

However, the 68-year-old has refuted such claims and has stated that he has been closely keeping an eye out on the likes of West Ham United captain Noble, Stoke City skipper Shawcross, Crystal Palace centre-half Dann and Watford captain and star striker Deeney over the past few years.

Hodgson said: “I have been watching everyone.

“I have been watching Mark Noble for eight years – I tried to sign him at Fulham – and Scott Dann for four years.

“I have been watching Ryan Shawcross, who's played for England before, and Troy Deeney for two or three years."

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