Hodgson seeks league and TV help

England manager Roy Hodgson has pleaded for understanding from the Premier League and television companies to help him mould a successful national team.

Hodgson's training time with his players, already in short supply, is frequently limited further by players being involved in Sunday fixtures with their clubs. While they would not in any case link up with England until the Monday, Hodgson feels such games, particularly away from home, prevent his charges becoming fully involved in training until later in the build-up to a Friday international.

The scheduling shift which saw weekend internationals moved from Saturdays to Fridays was welcomed by club managers, with players returning earlier having concluded their international duty on the following Tuesday, but it provides a further squeeze for Hodgson.

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