David Wheater has credited Darlington with helping him win his first call-up to the senior England squad for next week's friendly against France.

It caps a remarkable rise for the 21-year-old Middlesbrough defender, who has made only 40 appearances for Boro's first team after coming through their youth system.

Wheater spent three months of last season on loan at Coca-Cola League Two side Darlington, and he admitted an appearance at the Stade de France next Wednesday was the last thing on his mind at the start of this term.

"It has capped off a good year for me and hopefully I can keep playing well and get in the full squad when it gets cut down," Wheater told www.mfc.co.uk.

"I was at Darlo this time last year but that's what you need - go in low and you get the experience and the confidence with it and I've come into the Premier League and done well.

"I didn't think I'd be in the first team here. I thought I might go back to Darlo or something. But there were a few injuries at the start and I took my chance and it's just gone on from there."

Wheater is still not guaranteed a trip to Paris with seven players to be cut from the squad on Saturday evening, and he is determined to put in a star turn against Derby and catch England boss Fabio Capello's eye.

"Saturday is an important game for me now - play well in that and hopefully I'll get in the team," he said.

"It's a fantastic feeling but it does get cut down so you can't get your hopes too high, but just being in the 30 is fantastic for me."

Wheater's Boro team-mate Stewart Downing missed out on the final squad in Capello's first match against Switzerland last month but has again been included in the provisional party.

And Wheater believes there should have been a third member of the Boro squad vying for a place in Paris.

"I think Luke Young should be in it as well because he has been playing well and hopefully his time will come again," he added.

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