Hi °C | Lo °C Former England midfielder Steve Hodge sees "big changes" to the England squad after their World Cup exit but believes James Milner will have a major role to play in the future.
Hodge, a member of the England squad at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, was impressed with Milner's contribution in his first tournament at senior level.
The Aston Villa player set up the goal for Jermain Defoe against Slovenia which clinched England's spot in the last 16.
Hodge, a former Villa player, told the club's official website: "I'm sure there will be big changes.
"Many of the players are around the 30 mark so you would wonder if they'll still be around for the next World Cup.
"But James Milner can take some positives and will gain from the experience though.
"Milner is only 24 so you would hope he'd have a few more major tournaments in him in a new-look England side.
"I was only 23 after the World Cup in 1986 and I came back with a real spring in my step through having played on that stage.
"Hopefully the same thing will happen to James and, even though he'll be very disappointed now, he can take confidence from having played in a World Cup."
Hodge added: "I think Milner was a little bit hard done by to be taken off after half-an-hour against the USA.
"But he stormed back against Slovenia after being rested for the Algeria game.
"But I don't think anybody did themselves justice against Germany, they just weren't good enough, and James was caught up in that poor performance."
