Hodgson backs Sturridge to shine

Down a goal at the interval to an inspired Wales side and facing yet another major tournament stumbling block, England gaffer Roy Hodgson introduced strike tandem Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge at the interval, and the rest is history.

Vardy was in the right place at the right to level matters before Sturridge combined with the Leicester City star and Dele Alli to score the winner in injury time.

Forced to watch from the sidelines as England threw away points in the Group B opener in Marseille against Russia, Sturridge got his chance Thursday in Lens, and the Liverpool point-man did not disappoint.

No wonder Hodgson speaks so highly of the oft-injured purveyor of powerful finishes.

"He's a special player, there's no doubt about that," Hodgson offered, according to Sky Sports, ahead of the Three Lions final group match Monday against Slovakia.

"Since he's got back from that injury situation, he did have a very settled period of play when he played on a regular basis and he just picked up that injury in the Europa League final."

Hamstring and knee concerns sidetracked much of Sturridge's league campaign a year after a hip injury threatened a promising future. Fit again an characteristically lethal in front of goal, Hodgson is elated with his squad selection.

"But I'm pleased for him because (when) he had that injury, there was speculation, and questions if he was the right player to be in the 23 - should he go? - and I'm delighted that I showed confidence in him because he has not let me down very often."