Luke Ayling has revealed he's received a positive message from Gareth Southgate after impressing for Leeds United.
The 29-year-old has been discussed as a potential surprise option in the England squad for the upcoming European Championships.
Though Ayling is awaiting his first call-up, UEFA's executive committee is set to rubber-stamp a proposal to allow teams to select three extra players and name a 26-man squad this summer, according to The Times.
Right-back is an area England are particularly blessed in, with Reece James, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold all vying for spots in the squad, with the Liverpool defender controversially omitted for the March World Cup qualifiers.
Alongside teammate Patrick Bamford, Ayling is hoping he will get the opportunity to feature for England this summer, though he admits there is ridiculous competition in his position.
“Of course it’s a dream to play for England but when you see Trent (Alexander-Arnold) can’t get in the squad, and there are other young right-backs are there,” Ayling said.
“I got a nice little bit from the manager saying that I’ve been doing really well, but there are about eight right-backs!
“You obviously hang on to it and hope for the best, but I don’t think so.”
Bamford, meanwhile, missed out to Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins in the last squad despite being the highest-scoring Englishman behind Harry Kane.
"That's the only thing I can do," Bamford said earlier this month. "Get my head down and try and keep scoring.
"Score as many goals as I can between now and the Euros and then see what happens - it would be a dream to play for England."
