Phil Foden has hailed fearless England boss Gareth Southgate for giving youth a chance in his latest squad.
The Manchester City starlet, 20, is one of a number of young players to be handed his first call-up for the Nations League qualifiers against Iceland on Saturday and Denmark next Tuesday.
Southgate has also called-up Manchester United's 18-year-old forward Mason Greenwood, as well as 23-year-olds Jack Grealish and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
All four have been capped at Under-21 level and Foden is encouraged by the pathway being created to the senior squad by Southgate.
"He gives young kids a chance if they are playing well enough and he is not scared to throw you in," said Foden. "The Under-21s is full of quality, any one of those players can step up to the first team – I know that for sure. Sometimes you have to keep being patient and working hard.
"I'm only 20. A lot of people have been pushing it for me to play in the senior team much earlier but I haven’t played a lot of games at Man City.
"I believe that some of the Under-21s will step up one day, they just have to keep working hard, the step is there and it is not far off.
"For Mason to get that first call up too, I am really happy for him and it just shows that Gareth isn’t scared to throw him in, even though he is 18.
"When I was younger, every kid on the estate used to dream of playing for England and pretending that we were players," Foden added. "That’s something that I used to do, now I am in the senior team, it seems crazy and it hasn’t really sunk in.
"I am just hoping I can make my debut and it would be a big moment for the family and I want to enjoy it."
Man City boss Pep Guardiola faced occasional criticism for his reluctance to play Foden since he burst onto the scene by being named player of the tournament as England won the U-17 World Cup three years ago.
But the youngster started some big games during Project Restart, including as a false nine in the Champions League last-16 second leg win over Real Madrid, and believes Guardiola has handled him well.
"For him to believe in me is massive," Foden said. "I have played in some massive games last year. Cup finals, and big Champions League games. They are the games that everyone wants to play in. Sometimes it is difficult for a young player to play in those games but I think he has been patient with me and played me at the right times. I am learning a lot and I feel ready to go."
