The duo have been told they will be called up to the full squad if anyone pulls out because of injury after Sunday's final league fixtures or next weekend's FA Cup Final.

It is a major boost for the pair, who have both been in impressive form in the Premiership.

Twenty-one-year-old Dawson, signed from Nottingham Forest in January, has been a regular in the England Under-21 side and has performed particularly well for Tottenham since forcing his way into the side in April.

Twenty-year-old Richardson, another Under-21 star, is on loan at The Hawthorns from Manchester United and has had manager Bryan Robson singing his praises.

England Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said: "There's a full Premier League on Sunday and then The [FA] Cup Final six days later so of course you have to be prepared that there might be others pulling out.

"Michael Dawson, the young Tottenham defender, has been with us for one training session two years ago and I have always watched him.

"Richardson has been having a very good season, too. They are intersting players. When I have stand-by players I don't want to put senior players in that position because I don't think it's fair. I think these two deserve it."