Roy: The door is open but players must earn their chance

Roy Hodgson says the door to his England squad is firmly open to anyone, regardless of age – but they must earn their chance.

The Three Lions boss, whose team have a 100 per cent record in Euro 2016 qualifying, is in Czech Republic to support Gareth Southgate’s Under-21s for their second European Championship game against Sweden on Sunday afternoon.

And he insists that if the Young Lions can show that they deserve their opportunity to step up, then he is more than willing to give them a break.

Five members of the U21s squad have already experienced senior international recognition, while six other regulars in Hodgson’s squad are still eligible to play for Southgate’s side, highlighting the pathway to full honours.

"I think it's up to them. I can't give you names, it's up to them. Obviously we know them all already," said Hodgson, who took charge of the first U21s fixture of this current cycle when they beat Scotland 6-0 in a friendly in August 2013.

"I have been following them all for the last couple of years.

"I would like to think that with the [senior] squad I have it will make it a little bit difficult for them to break in because there are only a certain number of players - it's absolutely down to them."

He continued: "If the midfielders, for example, can convince me that they are better than those that I am using here, then I am happy to play them.

"But it's not an easy ask when you have got players like Lallana, Delph, Wilshere, Henderson and Milner, it's not just a shoo-in."

Harry Kane, currently in the U21s squad, scored on his senior debut in March

Though Hodgson is keeping a close eye on the U21s at the European Championship, he admits that older players can also stake their claim for a place.

Rickie Lambert and Charlie Austin are two who have featured in squads this season – Austin was involved for the double-header this month – while Andy Carroll is also still on the radar.

The West Ham United striker has two goals in nine games for the Three Lions, but the 26-year-old has not appeared since October 2012 – largely due to injury.

But Hodgson says that if Carroll can return to the form that saw him play a key role in the Euro 2012 Finals, he would be happy to welcome him back to the fold.

Andy Carroll scored a fine header against Sweden at Euro 2012

"I don't close doors," said the former Fulham and West Bromwich Albion boss.

"Rickie did a very good job for us, Charlie Austin has been with us, so I am not going to be so hung up where I say: 'unless you are a certain type of footballer there is no chance for you'.

"If Andy can recapture his form, you know how much of a handful he is as a player. So who knows, he could quite easily become a player we look at. That is up to him.

Charlie Austin with Jamie Vardy during training this month

"He has been very unfortunate with injuries, I can only hope he can recover from his injuries in the same way that Phil Jones and Jack Wilshere have."

He added: "Charlie Austin has qualities he has shown in training, he has the qualities we selected him for.

"But I don’t apologise for calling people up and they don’t get a game - I can’t guarantee them that."

England’s next game is away in San Marino on Saturday 5 September before they return to Wembley Stadium three days later to take on Switzerland. 

Tickets for the Euro 2016 Qualifier are available to buy online, here.