FORMER York City goalkeeper David Stockdale believes defensive resilience will see his old boss Roy Hodgson deliver Euro 2012 glory for England.

Just two years after being released at the age of 20 in 2006 by then Minstermen chief Billy McEwan, Stockdale earned a £600,000 move from Darlington to the Premier League when Hodgson, as manager of Fulham, spotted his potential.

He went on to play for the Cottagers in both the top flight and Europe under Hodgson and, during the last year, established himself as a mainstay in Fabio Capello’s England squads.

But, with Capello having stepped down from the post in February, Stockdale failed to make Hodgson’s 23, or the standby list, for the championships in Poland and Ukraine, kicking off today.

He never felt, for one minute, that the pair’s past relationship would guarantee his place on the plane but, having worked closely with both the new national manager and the Three Lions’ players, Stockdale is confident that England can defy their critics and win a major tournament on foreign soil for the first-ever time.

England have picked up two 1-0 wins in their warm-up games against Norway and Belgium and, ahead of Monday’s first group game against France, the 26-year-old shot-stopper said: “I’m English and patriotic so I think we are going to win it.

“That’s the type of person I am and I’m sure the other lads think the same. We have got to be realistic and take each game on its individual merits but, if Roy Hodgson does his job as I know he can, I am confident the squad can do well.

“His strengths are his man-management and the way he organises his teams. Everybody knows their role and England won’t be conceding many goals under him because that’s the way he builds a base to work from.

“He’s been in management a long time and has won a lot of things so, for me, there’s no better person around to be in charge.”

Stockdale also believes there are few better candidates in world football to stand between the sticks than the Three Lions’ current number one Joe Hart, identifying his recent international training partner as England’s most important player this summer and adding: “Joe Hart will be a big key player and that’s not because we aren’t good enough but everybody needs a world-class ’keeper and he’s one of the best around.

“The second person I would look to would be the captain Steven Gerrard if he can play anything like he is capable of doing. I also think it’s a big chance for the likes of Andy Carroll and Danny Welbeck to show what they can do as Wayne Rooney’s suspension will obviously be a big loss for the first two games.

“I like Andy Carroll and I think he’s going into the tournament confident and on a good run of form.”

Stockdale, who played second fiddle to Mark Schwarzer at Fulham during the final three months of last season, was omitted from a squad that initially included Hart, Robert Green and John Ruddy as Hodgson’s three goalkeepers.

Injured Norwich net-minder Ruddy was then replaced by untried Birmingham City teenager Jack Butland, who has never played above League Two at club level.

Stockdale bears no grudges, however, despite his previous experience playing for Hodgson.

“Roy Hodgson isn’t into favouritism – he’s not like that,” Stockdale pointed out.

“He goes on what people have done. I didn’t play enough games towards the back end of the season so it’s fair enough.

“John Ruddy had a great season with Norwich and people might have said he should have been called up before. Rob Green has also played in the Championship week in, week out.

“It might have been different if I had been playing and doing well but that’s just how life goes. I don’t know much about Jack Butland but he has come through all the England youth sides and has obviously caught the eye.

“I hope it will be a great thing for him to experience and will help him build on his career.

“We haven’t got the strength in depth in terms of goalkeepers that other countries have and it would be great if somebody like Ben Foster came out of retirement as well because having five or six going for three places would be an ideal situation.

“I’m disappointed not to be involved but all I can do is wish the lads the best of luck and I will be working as hard as I can to prove I can get back into the squad.”

Stockdale also stressed that he was not offended by the lack of a phone call from Hodgson outlining the reasons for him not making the squad.

“It would be a long job if he had to give explanations to everybody who hasn’t made the squad,” the ex-England ‘C’ international said.

“He shouldn’t have to ring people up with things like that and doesn’t need to provide anybody with an explanation.

“I made every squad during the last year under Fabio Capello and was on the bench as Joe Hart’s understudy for some games but I am big enough to understand different managers have different opinions.”

Stockdale’s hopes for a return to the international fold look likely to rest on his ability to oust Aussie international Schwarzer as number one at Craven Cottage or establish himself as a first choice elsewhere.

QPR and newly-promoted West Ham have recently been rumoured to be monitoring his situation but Stockdale said: “I’ve not spoken to my agent since the end of the season so I don’t know of any interest from any other clubs.

“I definitely want to be playing first-team games next season in the Premier League hopefully but, if not, in the Championship.

“I just need games to prove to people I can perform on a consistent basis.”