England call-up not really 'sunk in' yet, says Mainoo
Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo has earned his first England call-up for their forthcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. He moved into Gareth Southgate's senior group having initially been named in the England Under-21 squad.
"I got called up to the Under-21s and then got a text from Steve Holland. He told me to come to meet him in the reception and just told me that I've been called up and that I'm gonna be with the squad for the week. I don't think it's really sunk in yet but I'm excited," he said.
In their final matches before Southgate names his squad for the European Championship in Germany, England face Brazil at Wembley on Saturday and host Belgium on March 26.
Mainoo will get the chance to stake his claim for a seat on the plane to the Euros, with Southgate a long-term admirer of the youngster. Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon also received their first call-ups to the England squad last Thursday.
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