Neville Has Young Competition

‘I always thought I had the potential to get into the England squad and I’m really enjoying it at the moment,’ the Charlton man told the FA’s website.

‘Gary Neville is a great player and he is England’s number two, but if I’m in the squad I want to do the best I can and put some pressure on him.

‘Your club form gets you into the squad so every time I go out there for Charlton I want to catch the eye of the manager and do my best.’

‘It seems amazing because I’ve only been involved for a short space of time; it’s a bit daunting. I hope to get in the next squad and take it from there.’

‘I asked Chris Powell before I went away in the summer what was it going to be like – the training, the people, the set-up – and he gave me a lot of answers to my questions,’

‘He said it’s a different experience. At club level you play with everyone all the time, while you only get a few days to train with internationals.’

‘The more I’m involved, the more settled I feel. Sometimes it’s a bit strange to think about it but I’ve just been taking it as it comes and getting on with it.

‘I was a little bit nervous before the Wales game which wasn’t such a bad thing. It was a big day – my first start, at Cardiff and a lot of family there to watch me, so I was nervous but I really enjoyed the game.

‘Now I’ve got a few more games under my belt I’m more confident and hopefully if I get the chance to play again I can show even more.’

‘I’ve always enjoyed the training, I really get stuck into it and I have a bit more banter with the lads now, having been a bit quiet when I first came into the squad.’

‘It’s going to be totally different to playing with David Beckham,’ said the defender.

‘If you give the ball to Shaun he will get on with it and try and attack the full-back while David tries to get behind players and whip in a cross.’