Danny Drinkwater named in England squad for upcoming friendlies

Danny Drinkwater has been rewarded for his superb graft in Leicester City's midfield with a maiden call-up to England's senior squad.

The 26-year-old is expected to be handed his international debut against either Germany in Berlin on March 26, or when the Three Lions host the Netherlands three days later.

Drinkwater hasn't represented his country since appearing for the Under-19 outfit in 2009, and will now look to steal ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's Eric Dier and the oft-injured Arsenal man Jack Wilshere in Roy Hodgson's preferred options in deep midfield.

Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge have also been drafted into the squad after overcoming injuries and getting some first-team minutes under their belts with Arsenal and Liverpool.

The two games serve as the first of five friendlies to be played before this summer's Euro 2016 finals in France, with the squad for the competition announced May 12. Hodgson's side kicks off its campaign June 11 against Russia in Marseille.

Here is the England squad in full

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham), Ross Barkley (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Welbeck (Arsenal)