Hodgson is delighted with the impact of the defender in both penalty areas.
“He’s very dangerous in the opposing team’s penalty area, there’s no doubt about it. And he defends well in ours,” Hodgson told the club’s official website.
“Against teams who play long balls and try to get you to submit to their aerial bombardment, with goalkeepers who come towards the halfway line to kick the ball into your penalty area, you do need players who are good in the air.
“You need players who are brave and strong and prepared to put their head on the ball. We knew he was good at doing that in our area – but this season he’s been doing it in the opposing area too.
“Every time we get a corner he’s dangerous.”
