Earmarked from an early stage by The Football Association's coaching staff, the Londoner has been capped at Under-15 and Under-16 levels and has played six games for the Under-18s this season, scoring twice in the process.

"We have known about Jermain for some time now," said Wilkinson, "and his progress has been carefully monitored. This season he has really come on. He has he been getting regular First team action and has been scoring goals in a very competitive division and has been playing consistently for Martin Hunter's Under-18s."

"We all felt that this friendly against Mexico was the perfect chance to have a look at him and see what he can offer us. With so many players eligible for the Under-21s stepping up to the Senior squad, Jermain has a chance to show that he can fill their shoes. We have always got to keep an eye on the future and Jermain, we hope, will be a part of that future."

After discussions between Wilkinson and England coach Sven Goran Eriksson, a larger-than-usual squad of27 has been named, with injury or call-ups to the Senior squad likely between now and the European Championship game in Athens on June 5.

"We have called up 27 players but it is extremely unlikely that I will be able to pick from a full squad," explained Wilkinson. "There are games this weekend and we are coming to the end of a very long season. We are bound to lose a few through injury or because Sven needs them, so we had to err onthe side of caution."

Another notable inclusion in the squad is Owen Hargreaves, the Bayern Munich player whose display in the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid has set tongues wagging.

Born in Canada to a Welsh mother and an English father, Hargreaves has already played three times for the Under-21s, and was included in the squad for the games against Finland and Albania in March. He has, however, yet to play a competitive game for England and until he does, Wales and Canada will not give up hope that the mop-haired midfielder will play for them - even though the player himself has committed his international future to England.

"There has suddenly been a lot of interest in Owen following the semi-final," said Wilkinson, "but people seem to forget that he has been with us since the Georgia friendly at the beginning of the season. We like the look of him and I know Sven was very impressed with what he saw against Real Madrid.

"He is set on playing forEngland, which is great news for us, but he knows just how stiff the competition is. Being with a great club like Bayern and playing with internationals week in and week out is obviously paying dividends and we are looking forward to him reproducing his club form for England."

Because of his club's appearance in the Champions League final, Hargreaves will not be available for selection for the Mexico game but will come into contention for a place in the team to face Greece.

There are recalls to the squad for Matthew Upson, of Arsenal, Blackburn's David Dunn, who was injured for the Finland and Albania games, Derby's Lee Morris, who has recovered after breaking a bone in his foot, and for Liverpool's Stephen Wright. Everton's Danny Cadamarteri is also included, 14 months after winning his last cap for the Under-21s. Paul Robinson, the Leeds keeper who was called into the Senior squad for the game against Italy, also returns while Nicky Weaver's absence because of injury gives Chris Kirkland, of Coventry, the chance to impress.