Top 5: England U-21 players who could get a call-up under Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate is the man who has been tasked with steadying the England ship over the next few months, following Sam Allardyce’s shock departure just 67 days into his spell as Three Lions manager.

Over the summer, Southgate announced his reluctance to fill the void after Roy Hodgson’s exit, but has now agreed to stand-in temporarily after recognising the dire position The Football Association has been placed in.

Whilst the ex-Middlesbrough boss might not be the most inspiring manager to lead the national side, he probably is the safest pair of hands to see England through the crisis and has been selected as caretaker manager for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Malta, Slovenia and Scotland, plus an international friendly against Spain.

The 46-year-old has led the England Under-21’s side since 2013 and has worked with an abundance of young English talent during his three-year spell.

This, of course, could open the door to a number of call-ups for the English youngsters and here are five players who SHOOT think could be in line for a senior call-up under Southgate…

Jordan Pickford

Since stepping into the shoes of the injured Vito Mannone at Sunderland, the young English goalkeeper has looked extremely comfortable between the sticks and the experience of several loan spells is clearly bearing dividends for the 22-year-old.

Despite conceding eight goals in four games, The Black Cats would be a lot worse off without Pickford – who has already made more than 20 saves this season.

With Joe Hart struggling for form and being shipped off to Torino, if England were to decide to look elsewhere for a ‘keeper, he could definitely be in with a chance of a call-up.

James Ward-Prowse

With the likes of Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Wayne Rooney, Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshere all competing for a space in the centre of England’s midfield, it probably already seems like a fairly overcrowded area, but Southampton’s Ward-Prowse must be skirting around the edges of his first senior call-up.

The 21-year-old already has one goal and one assist in the Premier League this season and played the full 90 minutes in the Europa League game against Sparta Prague.

He also has six goals for the England Under-21’s and is their captain, so he must surely be an option at the back of caretaker Southgate’s mind.

Demarai Gray

Gray is a player that seems to have been around for ages, but at just 20 years of age and with only one cap for the England Under-21’s, Gray still has a lot of football ahead of him.

Having begun his career at Birmingham City, the winger went on to feature in 12 of Leicester City’s games during their title winning 2015/16 campaign.

In the new Premier League season, Gray has already made three appearances for Claudio Ranieri’s side and produced a stunning goal recently against Manchester United.

One thing that England lacked over the summer was a winger and Gray is an option for Southgate who is quick, powerful and particularly skillful.

Calum Chambers

Middlesbrough loanee Chambers is definitely in with a chance of being recalled to the senior team in the near future, having already picked up three caps under ex-England boss Hodgson.

The 21-year-old, who is on loan from Arsenal, has also featured on 14 occasions for the England Under-21 side.

The right-back has played twice in the Premier League for Aitor Karanka’s side this season and marked his debut for Boro with a goal against Liverpool.

Should Nathaniel Clyne or Kyle Walker struggle for form or pick up an injury, Chambers would definitely be in contention to fill in at full-back.

Marcus Rashford

Having scored on his Manchester United, Premier League and England senior team debuts, it would come as no surprise to hear that Rashford not only replicated this feat whilst making his debut for the England’s Under-21s, but also marked his debut performance with a hat-trick.

It was Southgate himself who oversaw this performance and when he announces his first England squad on Sunday, it is almost a certainty that the 18-year-old will be given the chance to win his fourth cap with the senior team.

The striker definitely provides England with a different option and with his recent form, could anyone disagree?