"He's scored two very important goals; the winner against Aston Villa and equaliser against Blackburn," Hodgson told the club's official website after the 1-1 draw at Ewood Park.
"I think he's getting better all the time. We have to keep on at him about his discipline on the pitch and the way we like him to play but all credit to him, he's working at that.
"As a coach you can only be happy when a player steps up at such an important time and produces such a wonderful free kick."