World Cup

James Tarkowski: 'I always wanted England call-up'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 21 March 2018

Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski says that he 'would have found it difficult' to turn out for Poland as an international footballer.

James Tarkowski has admitted that he 'would have found it difficult' to turn out for Poland as an international footballer.

The 25-year-old was born in Manchester, but qualifies for Poland through his grandfather.

The centre-back has never turned out for England at youth level, but has been handed a call-up to the senior squad for the upcoming international friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy.

The Burnley defender has revealed that he has 'always seen himself as an English person' as he eyes a spot in Gareth Southgate's squad for the 2018 World Cup.

"I've always seen myself as an English person so to play for Poland would be difficult," Tarkowski told reporters.

"I know that side of the family, it's not something I've never thought of or people I've never spoken to, but I've always seen myself as English. It's only really the name that's followed me around.

"There were a couple of conversations with people not at the top of the Polish FA but a couple of people associated with them, mentioning would I think about it and would I look at it? At times, throughout my career, I've thought about it but I always saw myself as English so that was the most important thing."

Tarkowski could make his England debut in Friday's international friendly with the Netherlands.