Roy Hodgson expects Gary Neville’s Spain adventure to benefit England

England coach Gary Neville will make his first foray into management at Valencia — a surprise appointment that Roy Hodgson believes will help rather than hinder the national team.

News that the former Manchester United defender would take the reins at the Primera Division club for the remainder of the campaign came as major shock.

Neville has become a popular pundit with Sky Sports and a key coach in the England set-up since retiring during the 2010-11 campaign, although management has long been an ambition.