Danny Drinkwater is aiming to stake his claim for a spot in Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 side as he prepares to make his England senior debut in friendlies against Germany and Holland.
The 26-year-old earned his first international call-up last week as a reward for his fine form for high-flying Leicester, who have a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
He is expected to get game time in games against world champions Germany in Berlin on Saturday and then against Holland at Wembley next week.
And Drinkwater is chomping on the bit to show the Three Lions boss what he can add to the team.
"I have been given a small chance here to show what I am capable of and it is up to me to take it,” he told a press conference ahead of the team’s trip to Berlin.
“If I do, I'll be hoping that if I can stake my claim for that position, then perfect.
"It is about doing your job, really, screening the defence. Obviously international football is going to be different, I understand that.
"Maybe as the ball turns over, you have look to keep it but I am looking forward to the challenge.
"I don't think England have been short of having a quality midfield but I guess having competition for places, it always helps push yourself in a way. It can only benefit us.
"With a potential Premier League winners medal beckoning and a place in England's European-Championships squad now in his grasp, many would expect Drinkwater's impending international debut to be the icing on the cake, but he is remaining level-headed for now.
"We have still got quite a bit to go in the season so the cake isn't really made yet," he said.
"But we are getting there definitely. My concentration is with England and it will be until the games finish on Tuesday and then we'll focus back on Leicester.
"Everything back at Leicester is good. We left it in a good place but we focus on the Three Lions. It [having two Leicester players in the squad] is a good time for the club and reflects well on how we are doing this season.
"It is a good reflection on what the club is achieving right now."
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