Ebrechi Eze: Palace boss Hodgson has helped so much in boosting my England prospects

Eberechi Eze has expressed his gratitude to Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson for rebooting his England prospects.

The 24-year-old, from Greenwich, could get his first minutes for the Three Lions against Malta tomorrow.

Former Millwall youngster Eze was set to be included in his first England squad in May 2021 for Euro 2020 before suffering a serious Achilles injury.

He scored six goals and registered one assist after Hodgson replaced Patrick Vieira in March – form that led to an international recall.

“The influence he had on the players – the mindset, the confidence, the freedom we all played with – it was something we hadn’t experienced for a little while,” said Eze.

“I am hugely grateful to him. I see him as someone who has helped me so much and put me in a position to express myself, and without that opportunity, I’m not in this position here.”

The former QPR playmaker joined the Eagles in August 2020 in a deal that could rise to £20million.