ROY DIVES IN TO RUBBISH ALLI CRITICS

ROY HODGSON has launched a staunch defence of Dele Alli – and hit out at claims he is a diver.

Hodgson, who gave Alli his first England cap, insists the Spurs midfielder attracts fouls because of his style of play.

He is adamant the 21-year-old is no cheat, and has no plans to warn his Palace players to be wary when making challenges when the clubs clash at Selhurst Park tomorrow.

“It’s never been mentioned,” said the Eagles boss. “I’ll let other people mention that.

“We do our team talk about Tottenham and discuss their players but we certainly don’t discuss Dele Alli and diving because I don’t think he does. Simple as that.”

He added: “He runs with the ball and gets knocked over.

“In the time I was working with him I saw no aspects to his play or to his character that suggested cheating in any way whatsoever.

“Yes, he will get knocked over in the penalty area, he’ll get fouled. Some will be given as penalties and some won’t be, and when the penalty isn’t given, people will say he dived, that’s the nature of football today.

“But he’s no cheat and he doesn’t dive, that’s for sure.“

Hodgson is grappling with a crippling injury list that now includes 12 senior players after Yohan Cabaye was crocked in training this week.

He admits he is frustrated Mamadou Sakho remains cautious about risking a troublesome calf.

“In his own words, he feels scared something’s going to happen if he plays and he’s unwilling to take the risk,” said Hodgson. “We‘re trying to encourage him.”

Palace hoped he would be involved tomorrow, but Hodgson (above, with Alli) added: “At the moment he’s making it clear he doesn’t feel confident enough to play.

“We’re disappointed about that, because I thought we would get him back after the Newcastle second half when he played so well, but it hasn’t turned out that way. “