Hodgson wary of Wales stars at Euro 2016

World Champions Germany will have to go through Ukraine, Poland and Northern Ireland, while defending European champions Spain will face Czech Republic, Turkey and Croatia.

Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland side were drawn in Group E, which looks to be the toughest in terms of the path to the knock-out rounds, with Belgium, who are now top of the Federation Internationale de Football Association world rankings, Sweden and Italy.

“But if they have dreams of watching Wales progress beyond the group stage, they will have their fingers crossed for a kind draw”.

Ireland will face Sweden in their opener in Paris, the home of PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Speaking on the eve of the finals draw in Paris, four weeks to the day after the attacks that left 130 dead, Patrick Kanner, minister for youth and sport in Francois Hollande’s government, said that France had a responsibility to host a great tournament.

Hodgson says Coleman’s men must be respected – especially Real Madrid star Bale, Arsenal midfielder Ramsey and Swansea captain Ashley Williams – but is confident his side can step up in the group stages after a disappointing 2014 World Cup campaign.

Hodgson has handed Vardy four caps so far but he does face plenty of competition for a place in the Euro 2016 squad, with Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott also involved in the battle.

“There are three tournaments before then and I want to see progress in each one, each one should be a stepping stone with tangible signs of improvement in results and the way that we play”.

England and Hodgson’s fate may rest on it. “I’m going to the Paris for the draw with great excitement”.

“We know all the Wales players – nearly all of them play in England”. It was the first time that a fifth seed has topped a European Championship qualifying group.

He said: “Look at Russian Federation and England, they are a lot stronger than Slovakia”.

They are both favourites of Hodgson but should Jamie Vardy maintain his form for Leicester it will scream for his inclusion. Only one automatic qualifier scored fewer goals, and Albania have the reasonable excuse that they played two fewer games. “It’s a maze but we’ll get down to plotting something”.