Hodgson pleased with Rooney goal against CSKA

England manager Roy Hodgson was pleased to see Wayne
Rooney back on the score sheet for Manchester United in
the Champions League this week after four games without a
goal.

The 30-year-old has endured a difficult season at club level
despite becoming England's all-time top goalscorer back in
September - when a penalty in the 2-0 win over Switzerland
saw him overtake Bobby Charlton.

His header against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday was his first
goal since mid-October, and Hodgson was delighted to see
his captain celebrating again.

"It was nice to see Rooney score an important goal for
Manchester United against CSKA Moscow," Hodgson said at
a press conference ahead of this month's friendlies against
Spain and France.

"This autumn has been a great milestone period for him."

Rooney has netted just twice in the Premier League so far
this term but Jamie Vardy, who has also received another
call-up, has netted a remarkable 11 goals already for
Leicester City.

"If players are in form and scoring goals like Jamie Vardy
it's great for us," Hodgson added. "He can play in any of the
three front positions."

Tottenham youngsters Eric Dier and Dele Alli have been
rewarded with their first and second call-ups to the senior
side respectively after forming an impressive central-
midfield partnership for their club.

"Dier has done really well," Hodgson said. "We don't have
many defensive central midfielders available to us. This is a
good opportunity for him.

"Alli impressed last month and he impressed when he went
back to Spurs. He now has another chance with us."