Chris Smalling: 'England need Ashley Young back'

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has expressed his belief that teammate Ashley Young's resurgence will lead to an England recall next season.

The winger, 29, has enjoyed a new lease of life under Louis van Gaal this season and starred in Saturday's 2-1 win at Crystal Palace by having a hand in both goals.

Speculation mounted in March that Roy Hodgson would bring him back into the international fold, but he was omitted from the squad against Italy and Lithuania.

Nevertheless, Smalling is confident that Young, whose last England cap came back in September 2013, deserves a recall for Hodgson's next squad.

"Ashley was terrific. Every time he got the ball he looked like he was going to beat his man. He's been a real threat the last few weeks," he told reporters.

"It could be a confidence thing and the manager showing faith in him. When you've got that you just build on it.

"He's quick and he can go both ways. He can cut in and have a shot or he can get past and put a cross in with his other foot. I think it's the unpredictability he's got. I think England could always do with a player like that and he's been there before and I'm sure he won't be far off."

The former Aston Villa hotshot has 30 caps under his belt thus far.