England manager Roy Hodgson has insisted that there is plenty to be optimistic about following a "mixed year" for the national team.

The Three Lions endured a torrid time at the World Cup in the summer as they failed to get past the group stage, but a strong start to their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign has boosted morale.

While he admits that exiting the World Cup so early was a low moment for himself and the players, Hodgson is excited by what 2015 has in store for England.

"It's been a mixed year, obviously," he told the Football Association's official website. "We had great excitement, we had a World Cup to look forward to, and not just any World Cup but one that was going to be played in Brazil. When that didn't go well for us that tends to cloud one's views of the year.

"Fortunately, though, we've managed to redress the balance somewhat since the World Cup. The team has been even further renewed – I think the renewal process began at the start of the year really – but it's continued apace."

England play their next game on March 27 when they host Lithuania in a Euro 2016 qualifier.