New England Under-21s captain James Ward-Prowse has set his sights on earning a call-up to the senior side.
The Southampton midfielder was handed the armband by manager Gareth Southgate yesterday after former skipper Jack Butland was included in Roy Hodgson's squad to face San Marino and Switzerland.
The likes of Harry Kane, Nathaniel Clyne, Luke Shaw and John Stones have all also made the step up from the Under-21s recently, and Ward-Prowse is eager to follow in their footsteps.
"Every boy's dream is it play for England and to reach the senior team would be great. If I keep performing well for country and club hopefully I will be recognised for the first team," he is quoted as saying by PA.
"If I do the job right here the first team will come calling. It is important not to put a time frame on it but focus on the job in hand. Last year I saw a few of the lads push into the first team and that is a real good sign for us as players that there is a pathway for good players to get into the team.
"To get the honour of the armband is a great privilege to me and is something I will cherish. With or without the armband I am always trying to take the lead and be a good communicator and try to lead by example."
Southgate's side face a friendly against USA Under-23s tomorrow night before beginning their Euro 2017 qualifying campaign away to Norway Under-21s.
Barney Corkhill
