Slovakia vs England: Danny Drinkwater believes Euro 2016 omission has only made him stronger

The Leicester City midfielder was left behind by Roy Hodgson before the doomed campaign in France, but he believes that the experience has only helped to improve him as a player

Drinkwater greets fans during an England training session (Getty)

Danny Drinkwater believes his omission from Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad has given him the jolt required to focus his mind on securing a regular place in Sam Allardyce’s England plans.

The Leicester City midfielder has returned to the England fold for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Slovakia in Trnava after failing to make Hodgson’s 23-man squad for France.

Having played a key role in Leicester’s title-winning campaign, Drinkwater’s omission, in favour of Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, was regarded at the time as a gamble by Hodgson and a cruel blow for the 26-year-old.

But three months on, Drinkwater admits that the disappointment of missing out on the European Championships ultimately saved him from allowing himself to become complacent after a dream season at club level.

“Yeah I would say it was a blow and a disappointment to miss out on Euro 2016,” Drinkwater said. “But on the other side of that it is probably best I didn't finish on just winning the title because I might have got sloppy this season and settled with what I have done.

“So in a way, ending the season on a bit of a low might have kicked me back into gear to get going again this season.

“My initial thought was that I needed to enjoy what had happened during season with Leicester. It was unreal, but then watching the games, I was wishing I was there.

“As tough as it was to watch, I would love to have been involved just to see if I could have made a difference. But it was something I needed to get over.”

Drinkwater’s form for Leicester, and the understanding he struck with leading goalscorer Jamie Vardy, was regarded as a major factor in his favour when Hodgson was finalising his squad.

Drinkwater celebrates with the Premier League trophy (Getty)

The pair’s partnership came to the fore last week, with Vardy scoring from another long pass from Drinkwater during the victory against Swansea City, but although the former Manchester United youngster admits he and Vardy have built a strong rapport on the pitch, he insists he was not surprised by his failure to make Hodgson’s squad.

“The hoof over the top to Vards?” Drinkwater joked, when asked about his stream of assists for the forward. “No, you know the relationship I have got on the pitch with Vards.

“It was shown quite a lot last season what a ball in behind can do for Vards and again if that is something we utilise again this season, then brilliant.

“But when I was told I wasn’t in the squad, it was me and Andros (Townsend) called to the manager’s room, so you can kind of join the dots really.

“I understood it, it was just one of those things. That was it really. I thanked him for the time and opportunity and that was it.

“I was obviously disappointed, but football is full of highs and lows and there were enough highs last season, so I can’t complain.

My initial thought was that I needed to enjoy what had happened during season with Leicester... then watching the games, I was wishing I was there.

&#13; <p>Danny Drinkwater</p>&#13;

“I just tried focusing on getting it out of my head as soon as I could and enjoying my summer ahead of the new season.”

Drinkwater goes into the Slovakia game with Leicester’s Champions League debut looming in the week after the international break – Club Brugge will be the champions’ first opponents on 14 September.

But the midfielder admits he has already been given a taste of what could lie ahead in the Champions League this season after facing Lionel Messi during Leicester’s pre-season friendly defeat against Barcelona in Stockholm.

“It was tough,” he said. “He is the best player I have played against.

“Sometimes you can play against someone and read what they are going to do after the first time they have done it.

“But he just changed his game every time he got the ball and it just shows why he is the best in the world.”