Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has challenged defender David Wheater to prove he has the class to play for England.The 21-year-old was included in Fabio Capello's senior squad for the first time on Thursday for the friendly clash with France next week.
With former Boro team-mate Jonathan Woodgate, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown and Joleon Lescott also selected, Wheater may not yet make the cut, and his club manager knows only sustained quality will see him make the breakthrough at international level.
Southgate said: "He has got a long way to go. David has had six months in the Premier League where he has been outstanding and we could not be happier with his progress.
"But it is repeating that year after year. You are only a good player if you do it season in, season out.
"There is no reason why he cannot do that, but it is all there in his hands now to go and do it.
"Going away with the 'big heads' will be an interesting experience for him, but it will be a good learning experience and he will not be in awe of anything."
Wheater, along with winger Stewart Downing, who was also included after being left out of the final 23 for Capello's first squad, will first have to contend with the visit of Derby to the Riverside Stadium this weekend.
Boro have emerged from their FA Cup quarter-final humiliation at the hands of Cardiff with creditable draws at Aston Villa and Arsenal, and a win over the Premier League's basement boys would take them to within touching distance of safety.
It has been a season of transition for the Teessiders, who have Mido and Fabio Rochemback suspended and Robert Huth and Emanuel Pogatetz doubtful through injury.
However, Southgate is delighted that despite their problems, two of the club's most promising youngsters have forced their way into the England set-up.
He said: "It shows we have been able to develop our own talent again, and it shows that being here is no hindrance to getting into that squad, which again is important for us as a club.
"David and Stewart, ironically enough, are the last two off the training pitch most mornings, and perhaps that tells everybody a story."
Downing's presence in the squad - he made the initial 30 for the Switzerland game last month, but missed out on the final selection - marks a significant rehabilitation for the 23-year-old, whose form since signing a new five-year contract to end speculation over his future has been excellent.
Southgate said: "The fact that another England manager has picked him will give him a huge boost.
"You might be picked by one manager and people say it is favouritism - this is the third England manager who has picked him, and that should tell him he is good enough to be in there."
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