Chuba Akpom aiming for Under-21s debut at Ricoh Arena

The Arsenal man, currently on loan with Hull City also spent time at Coventry during the 2013-14 campaign, was named in Gareth Southgate’s first squad of the season last month but was forced to withdraw through injury.

But the striker, who celebrated his 20th birthday last week, was able to report for duty this time as England prepare to face Kazakhstan at the Ricoh Arena.

"I’d started the season well with Hull and was getting the game time that I wanted, so to get the U21s call-up [last month] was a bonus because I’ve been waiting for that call for a while," said Akpom in the official match programme. 

"It was great to get selected, so I was gutted to be injured for the games but I knew that another time would come so I had to be patient.

"But it’s a big step for me. After this, it’s only the senior squad to go and these are the two big steps to make from the younger age groups."

Akpom has been an England regular over the years, scoring goals for the Three Lions at U16, U17, U19 and U20 level.

And the east Londoner was delighted to be recognised by Southgate following a strong end to the 2014-15 season in the Toulon Tournament and then in pre-season with Arsenal.

"Last season with the U20s in one of the camps, Gareth Southgate was there and watching us and he’s been to a few of our games so it’s nice that he’s thinking of me in the squad," he revealed.

"There are a lot of strong players in this squad, it’s a good team and everyone is playing for their club as well. It’s also quite a young team as well, which is good to see."

When Akpom joined the Sky Blues in February 2014, they were playing their home games away from the Ricoh Arena.

And even though his spell with the club did not yield any goals in six appearances, he looks back on the term as being another part of his football education with the ultimate aim of making it as a first-team regular at Arsenal.

"I was there a couple of years ago and it was one of my first experiences away from Arsenal, with different players, a different manager and different type of game style to adapt to," he revealed.

"It didn’t work out as well as I wanted it to when I was there, but it’s all part of the learning curve for me and I learnt a lot about what it’s like to play lower down the leagues and it’s something that I’ve added to my experiences, which is what it’s all about."

You can read the full interview with Chuba in the official match programme for the game with Kazakhstan, which will be on sale at the Ricoh Arena on Tuesday and by clicking here.