Dele Alli has been named in England’s squad for their Euro 2016 qualification double-header against Estonia and Lithuania.
The 19-year-old has started just three Premier League matches for Tottenham and only made his European debut in last month’s Europa League win over FK Qarabag.
But England boss Roy Hodgson has been sufficiently impressed with Alli, who has been capped at Under 21 level, to hand him a first senior call-up as he assesses midfield options with Jack Wilshere, Fabian Delph and Jordan Henderson unavailable.
England have already secured their place at next summer’s finals in France and although Hodgson insisted he would not experiment excessively in this month’s matches, he has watched Tottenham on several occasions this season as Alli has made an encouraging start to his top flight career.
The teenager has so far made a smooth transition from League One football after completing a £5million transfer to Spurs from Milton Keynes Dons in the summer after initially agreeing the move in January before continuing at Stadium: MK on loan for the second half of last season.
Former England striker Gary Lineker had previously tipped Alli to break into England’s Euro 2016 squad, stating on Twitter last month: “Tell you what, England has some real talent finally coming through. Very excited by Dele Alli.”
England face Estonia at Wembley on Friday week before travelling to Vilnius on Monday 12 October.
Alli’s team-mate Eric Dier and Arsenal defender Calum Chambers are among those included in Gareth Southgate’s Under-21 squad.
England senior squad to face Estonia and Lithuania: Jack Butland, Joe Hart, Tom Heaton, Ryan Bertrand, Gary Cahill, Nathaniel Clyne, Kieran Gibbs, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, John Stones, Dele Alli, Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Adam Lallana, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jonjo Shelvey, Raheem Sterling, Danny Ings, Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney, Jamie Vardy, Theo Walcott.
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