Manchester City midfielder James Milner has insisted that new England manager Roy Hodgson's tactics have made the side difficult to beat.

The Three Lions are unbeaten at Euro 2012 having advanced as winners of Group D against the odds, and now prepare to face Italy in the quarter-finals. Milner says there is more to come from the national side under the management of Hodgson and is confident ahead of their meeting with the Azzurri.

"The gaffer hasn't been in the job long and he plays a different style to the previous manager. He wants us tucked in, compact and tight and to be difficult to beat and it has worked so far," said Milner.

"I think Ukraine were on top first half against us and we didn't get into our stride, but it showed the spirit and determination and the organisation of the team to restrict them to long shots.

"There is still more to come from the team. The manager only came in just before the tournament and we had injuries during the build-up.

"The lads have done a great job and, the longer we are together and with the manager, we will get better."

England face Italy in Kiev on Sunday in the last eight of the European Championships.