England manager Roy Hodgson leaves door open to U21s

Roy Hodgson says the door is open for all the current England U21 squad to step up to senior level if they are good enough.

England manager Hodgson is in the Czech Republic to watch how the Young Lions fare at this summer's U21 European Championship tournament.

Five members of Gareth's Southgate squad have already experienced senior international recognition, while six other regulars in Hodgson’s squad are still eligible to play at U21 level.

If the midfielders, for example, can convince me that they are better than those that I am using here, then I am happy to play them.

Hodgson, who took charge of the first U21s fixture of this current cycle when they beat Scotland 6-0 in a friendly in August 2013, said: "I think it's up to them. I can't give you names, it's up to them. Obviously we know them all already.

"I have been following them all for the last couple of years.

"I would like to think that with the (senior) squad I have it will make it a little bit difficult for them to break in because there are only a certain number of players - it's absolutely down to them.

"If the midfielders, for example, can convince me that they are better than those that I am using here, then I am happy to play them.

"But it's not an easy ask when you have got players like Lallana, Delph, Wilshere, Henderson and Milner, it's not just a shoo-in."

The former Fulham, Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion boss also revealed that any English-qualified player who impresses early next season, no matter their age, would be in with a chance of a senior call-up.

England’s next game is the European Qualifier away in San Marino on Saturday, September 5 before taking on Switzerland three days later at Wembley.

"I don't close doors," Hodgson added. "Rickie (Lambert) did a very good job for us, Charlie Austin has been with us, so I am not going to be so hung up where I say: 'unless you are a certain type of footballer there is no chance for you'."