Surprise England call-up Dele Alli warned his promotion to senior squad has come too soon

Dele Alli has received his fist full England call-up

TOTTENHAM teenager Dele Alli has been told his promotion to the England squad has come too soon after Roy Hodgson handed him a surprise chance to gatecrash his plans for Euro 2016.

 

Alli, 19, and Liverpool's Danny Ings were included in the senior party for the first time for the final qualifiers against Estonia and Lithuania.

England manager Hodgson revealed he has followed midfielder Alli for the past two years after being tipped off about the youngster by right-hand man Ray Lewington, whose son played with him at MK Dons.

 

He has made just three Premier League starts and England Under-21s coach Gareth Southgate urged no one to go overboard on a player who was performing in League One last term.

"I just think we've got to be very careful how we handle him," said Southagte, for whom Alli has played with the U21s. "In truth it's a little bit early for him but we like him a lot. We think there's a lot of potential there.

 

Danny Ings has been rewarded for his eye-catching form for Liverpool

"There is still a long way and he needs a lot of protection.

"I think Mauricio Pochettino [the Tottenham head coach] would agree with that but it's a lovely moment for him and his family.

"It's not an easy thing to take on board. As soon as we put a player with the senior team that's a huge change in how they're perceived by the outside world.

 

Aston Villa blocked an invitation to Jack Grealish to train with the squad

"It's a lot to take on board but he's got a good mentality and we've got to help and support that."

Hodgson watched Tottenham three times in six days before elevating Alli and has previously fast-tracked the likes of Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley.

"We are a year away from France so the thinking is it's a good opportunity for him to come with us, when so many midfield players are missing through injury and we can get to know him better," said Hodgson. "Who knows where he will end up? He's a very exciting talent."

England confirmed Aston Villa blocked an invitation to Jack Grealish to train with the squad next week after he pledged his international future to them rather than the Republic of Ireland.

 

Grealish has yet to receive international clearance to be selected by England's age groups and Hodgson made clear that there will be no "guarantees" to the midfielder simply as a result of his decision.

"For Aston Villa, these two weeks are a very important time for him and it's certainly more important for him to get the training he needs under his belt," said Hodgson. "That's more important than getting a couple of days' training with us. We can't offer him any sweeteners or bonuses because you have made a decision to play for England.

"We are very happy but what matters now is how he does for Aston Villa - he has to play well enough now to make sure he gets into the England squad."

Daniel Sturridge has not been included in the 24-man squad and Hodgson told the player in a telephone conversation on Wednesday night to work on his fitness and aim for the glamour November friendlies against Spain and France.

Squad: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley); Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton); Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City); Danny Ings (Liverpool), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).