Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has joked that his dad "might have a heart attack" if he starts for the Three Lions at the World Cup.
The former Bournemouth and Sheffield United man was selected alongside Nick Pope and Jordan Pickford for the Qatar tournament after a stellar start to the season with Arsenal.
Ramsdale and Pope lead the way at the top of the Premier League clean sheet charts with seven apiece, but Pickford is expected to be named England number one for the World Cup.
The Everton goalkeeper has starred for England at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020, with Ramsdale yet to oust him despite immediately cementing his place in the Arsenal XI.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a particularly strong relationship with his father, and he has joked that Ramsdale senior may not be able to cope if he pulls on the Three Lions jersey in Qatar.
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When asked by reporters how his dad reacted to his World Cup selection, Ramsdale said: "There were definitely a few tears shed from him. If I actually make it on the pitch he might not return home. He might have a heart-attack!
"It's special for family and especially my parents who have driven me up and down the country and around the world. He won't have any nails left."
Ramsdale was a part of England's Euro 2020 squad, although he did not play a single minute at the tournament and has only made three appearances for the Three Lions, making his debut in the World Cup-clinching 10-0 win over San Marino in November.
Ramsdale has since made two appearances in the UEFA Nations League, playing in the goalless draw with Italy in June before conceding four to Hungary three days later.
The Arsenal number one believes that Pickford possessing the label of first-choice is "fair", but he will be ready to be called into action if Gareth Southgate deems him ready for a World Cup debut.
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"Fair. I see as it is. Jordan Pickford has done extremely well for England and he is fine form for Everton. And so is Nick Pope with Newcastle. I'm not the only one racking up the clean sheets," Ramsdale added.
"We have a great bond between the goalkeepers and Martyn Margetson [goalkeeping coach] looks after us really well. You need three goalkeepers to train properly to get the No.1 to his best.
"We are all training as a No.1 and it will be difficult for the other two to flip the switch. But it is something me, Popey and to a lesser extent Jordan have done before. So whoever gets that first game will have our full support. But you never know with tournament football. You always have to be ready to be called upon."
England get their World Cup campaign underway on Monday at the Khalifa International Stadium against Iran before facing fellow Group B occupants USA and Wales on November 25 and 29 respectively.
Southgate should be working with nearly all of his 26-strong squad for the opening game, but James Maddison missed training for a second day in a row on Friday following his recent knee injury.
Ben Knapton
