Afrigather 
Taylor Harwood-Bellis revealed he was in a state of disbelief when he was advised about his first call-up to the England senior staff final week.
Harwood-Bellis, together with Newcastle’s Lewis Corridor, acquired their maiden Three Lions call-ups in Lee Carsley’s remaining squad as interim head coach.
The Southampton defender has impressed underneath Russell Martin this season, that includes in all of their Premier League fixtures thus far this season.
Harwood-Bellis has gained extra aerial duels (13) for the Saints within the top-flight this time period, with solely Jan Bednarek (888) finishing extra passes than the 22-year-old (684).
He’s additionally somebody well-known to the interim boss from his time answerable for England’s Underneath-21’s facet, together with his 21 appearances greater than every other participant throughout Carsley’s tenure within the present Three Lions squad.
“Lee Carsley rang me within the morning and stated, ‘you’ll be with us, with the seniors’. I didn’t fairly imagine it at first,” he advised a press convention.
“My associate was subsequent to me and I phoned my dad, who was very proud. He loves after I play for England, even the youthful age teams.
“One of many first individuals to message me was Aaron Ramsdale. I used to be joyful to see his title as he’s considered one of my mates on the membership.”
Welcome to camp, lads! pic.twitter.com/Tr8T99isX8
— England (@England) November 11, 2024
Sadly for Harwood-Bellis, Ramsdale has since pulled out of the squad with a finger damage and has been changed by Burnley’s James Trafford.
England journey to Athens to tackle Group B2 leaders Greece on Thursday earlier than returning to Wembley three days later as they sq. off towards the Republic of Eire.
With a variety of first-team regulars out via damage, Harwood-Bellis has the chance to grow to be the primary Saints participant to characterize England since Kyle Walker-Peters did so again in 2022.
The defender understood the potential ramifications of performing properly for the Three Lions throughout this worldwide break, with Thomas Tuchel taking on within the new yr.
“It will likely be an enormous motivation for all the lads, realizing that there’s a brand new supervisor coming in and wanting to maintain your spot,” he stated.
“That’s one thing that particularly the youthful lads shall be pushing in the direction of.
“It’s going to be tough due to the standard and expertise in a number of the lads that aren’t right here is very large.
“It’ll be tough, however it’ll be one thing that I’ll give attention to week in and week out for Southampton and if I get minutes right here.”
