England manager Roy Hodgson has stated his belief that Gary Cahill performs better in big games.

The Chelsea man has become an integral part of the Three Lions side in recent seasons after making his debut against Bulgaria in 2010.

Cahill, who has won 29 caps for his country, was in the England squad for this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

"He seems to be more and more comfortable with the responsibility of the top matches i.e. England, Champions League and Premier League," Hodgson told the FA's official website.

"I think he has a quiet authority, I think he's someone who really knows what his job is, takes the job very seriously and works very hard to get better in that job.

"You gain as you go along. You get, with experience, stronger and probably more vocal as well. I think he already realises that we rely on him quite heavily as one of our senior central defenders with [Phil] Jagielka."

England face San Marino at Wembley in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Thursday evening.