Ross Barkley has earned his first England senior call-up after being named in Roy Hodgson’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying double-header against Moldova and Ukraine.
The 19-year-old midfielder has been rewarded for an impressive start to the season and joins Everton teammates Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines in the 27-man group.
The Three Lions play Moldova at Wembley on Friday 6 September before facing Ukraine in Kiev four days later on Tuesday 10 September.
Speaking about Barkley's call-up, England head coach Hodgson said: "He impressed me when I worked with him at St George's Park and in the England U21s match [against Scotland] at Sheffield.
"We are giving ourselves a chance to look at players who have a bright future and are capable of making a difference to a game.
"Players like Barkley, [Raheem] Sterling and [Andros] Townsend can make a difference and in a team they can be players who make a big impact and help you win.
"They are there on merit and it's nice that they are younger and have a future in front of them."
England are now entering a crucial stage of their qualification campaign, with a place at next summer’s tournament in Brazil some way off being secured.
With four Group H fixtures remaining, England occupy second position, two points behind leaders Montenegro and one ahead of third-placed Ukraine.
The winners of each of the nine groups automatically progress, while the eight best-placed runners-up advance to the play-off stage in November when the four remaining qualification spots will then be determined.
After this round of international matches, England conclude their qualification campaign in October with a home double-header against Montenegro and Poland.
The full 27-man squad is listed below.
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).
Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United), Ashley Young (Manchester United).
