5 Premier League Youngsters Roy Hodgson Should Have Picked For England Duty

With England's place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil confirmed national coach Roy Hodgson can now begin to assess his options. There were few surprises in the squad announced to face Chile and Germany in Wembley friendlies. Southampton pair Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez, 25 and 24 respectively, earned deserved call-ups as the Saints continue to fly high under Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino. The Three Lions roster is getting an increasingly younger flavour through regular inclusions of defenders Kyle Walker, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones among others. Everton starlet Ross Barkley and Spurs winger Andros Townsend have also broken into the squad this season. They join a recalled Jordan Henderson and forwards Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge €“ all being well €“ on international duty over the next couple of weeks. Hodgson has already shown he is prepared to place his faith in youth, but the usual suspects still remain. Only time and the teamsheet will tell how much he is prepared to experiment in the coming months. As luck would have it, we have got some suggestions for you Roy. WhatCulture looks at five English youngsters playing regular Premier League football that Hodgson may want to look at between now and the summer.

5. James Ward-Prowse

If Southampton teammates Rickie Lambert, Lallana and Rodriguez can all get senior international recognition then why not teenager Ward-Prowse? The 19-year-old Saints midfielder has made three Premier League assists so far this term from a right wing berth at St Marys. Pochettino is prepared to play Ward-Prowse plenty and often despite possessing more senior options. He is keeping the likes of Northern Ireland skipper Steven Davis and Uruguay international Gaston Ramirez on the bench. Graduating from Southampton's academy is follow to in some big footsteps. Gareth Bale, Wayne Bridge and Theo Walcott are some of the best of British to come before Ward-Prowse. Given Lallana's second call-up the South Coast hotbed is definitely at the forefront of England thinking. You could also make a case for young Luke Shaw too. Hodgson has named three left backs already in his squad, however. The strength in depth in that position is remarkable given only a few years ago Ashley Cole was totally unchallenged as first choice. Now Shaw has Leighton Baines and Kieran Gibbs to contend with. Nobody questions the prodigious talent of the Saints teenager, but experienced and consistent heads will get the nod in England's fullback berths.