England boss Roy Hodgson has stated that he feels accepted in his new role with the national side, and that he hopes his team get off to a good start to Euro 2012 against France on Monday.

The Three Lions start their campaign in Ukraine and Poland with a tricky Group D fixture against Laurent Blanc's men, and Hodgson is hoping that England can challenge this summer.

"It has been an intense three weeks, but it has been a three weeks where I felt like I have been accepted by the group," he said in a news conference, published by Sky Sports.

"The players have made it very easy for me to get my feet under the table.

"I don't think we can ever be accused of not being a top football nation, but the fact that it has been 1966 since we won a major tournament is always something that is in our minds, you didn't need me to remind me of that, it has crossed my mind from time to time.

"But we start this tournament as one of 16 teams that can win it.

"I just hope they play like they are capable of playing. We have team full of players who are major stars in their own league.

"I see these players performing week in and week out and playing to the best of their ability I just hope they can reproduce that," he confessed.

By Gareth McKnight

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