RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK will make his England debut against Germany.
The on-loan Crystal Palace midfielder will start against the world champions on Friday.
And SunSport also understands Burnley star Jack Cork is also set to feature for the first time in Gareth Southgate’s side.
Loftus-Cheek, 21, will be hoping to make a significant impression over the coming days after receiving his first senior call-up.
The youngster was given the nod alongside Liverpool’s Joe Gomez and and fellow Blue Tammy Abraham, who is currently enjoying a loan spell at Swansea.
And it is perhaps fitting that Loftus-Cheek will make his bow against a nation that produced one of his idols.
Speaking to the Standard, he explained: “Michael Ballack is a player that inspired me when I was growing up at Chelsea.
“I used to watch him playing with the likes of Lampard and Essien in midfield. I was coming through the Academy and my coaches always used to say to me ‘watch the games, watch Ballack’.
“He was a guy that would boss the midfield. It is what my dad used to say to me as well, that I need to boss the midfield too. Ballack was a player that ran the game, while Lampard kind of worked off him.
“I took his style into the way I play, especially when I played as a No.8 all the way through the Academy and sometimes play now.”
The Three Lions boss is expected to name his captain later this afternoon.
More to follow…
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