Wednesday 11 November 2015 08:24, UK
Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse says he has not given up on making his England breakthrough this season.
In April, England manager Roy Hodgson said he planned to promote Ward-Prowse to the senior ranks following the summer's U21 European Championships in the Czech Republic.
But the 21-year-old endured a difficult tournament and was dropped by manager Gareth Southgate following the 1-0 opening game defeat to Portugal.
Ward-Prowse was an unused substitute for the next two matches as England crashed out at the group stages.
Despite starting just half of Southampton's Premier League matches this season while Tottenham duo Eric Dier and Dele Alli have become regular starters for Mauricio Pochettino's side, Ward-Prowse is not giving up on gaining a spot in Hodgson's next squad.
"I was made aware of it [Hodgson's comments] and it was very nice to see but until I'm in the squad and playing for him and the first team I can't really settle on that," he said.
"It was nice to hear and it's added motivation that if I can keep my performance levels for club and country I'll make the step up.
"They [Dier and Alli] are two good friends of mine, especially Eric, and they have been in fantastic form for Tottenham.
"They've deserved their call-up and it's inspiring and promising for me to know friends of mine and fellow team-mates are getting the opportunity.
"If I can replicate my form for Southampton and continue my progress for the Under-21s hopefully that will come."
Ward-Prowse will captain England's U-21 side against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo Canton on Thursday as they continue their Euro 2017 qualifying campaign.
Nathan Redmond, Jordon Ibe and Joe Gomez are already ruled out with injury with Redmond personally calling Southgate to confirm his absence.
And Ward-Prowse believes there is now a greater determination to play for the U21s and Southgate.
He added: "You can see throughout the squad the enthusiasm to play for England, and that's been questioned recently, but you can see with our performance levels everyone wants to put on an England shirt and do well."
