Roy Hodgson has admitted that the qualifying draw for the 2018 World Cup had been kind to England as the dates for the fixtures were announced.

England have been drawn in Group F with Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta. They first play the Scots at Wembley on 11 November 2016, with the return match at Hampden Park on 10 June 2017.

“I would have been confident whichever teams we drew but in many ways we have been quite fortunate,” said the England manager. “We have avoided many of the far-flung destinations that can be difficult for our supporters to reach.”

Hodgson is also hopeful that the current crop of England players will be reaching the peak of their potential come the finals.

“If we can keep the 30 players who have served us so well – and a few more to break on to the scene – then I am confident the team will have developed even further,” he added.