James Maddison admits "he'd be lying" if he said he wasn't eyeing a spot in England's World Cup spot after his latest Leicester City display.
The playmaker has been among the most impressive performers in the Premier League this term, even though the Foxes have struggled for long periods. Maddison has only picked up just one cap for the Three Lions - that coming back in 2019 - but there is a growing clamour to see him selected for the tournament in Qatar.
Southgate has often remained loyal to the majority of his players and is blessed with a host of impressive attacking options, many of whom were integral to England's efforts at Euro 2020 last summer. Maddison has been on a par with many of them this season, however, and hopes his performances will make him too hard to ignore.
He told Sky Sports : "I would be lying if I said it was not in my mind because the World Cup is nearly here and that is the pinnacle. I always say the same answer, if I focus on my performance for Leicester hopefully that does catch the eye of the England manger, but that is out of my control."
Maddison's comments came after he was integral in securing Leicester just their fourth league win of the season. The Foxes were good value for their 2-0 success at Everton and Brendan Rodgers claimed it was "not a debate" about whether or not Maddison should go to Qatar.
He said: "It is not a debate for me. I respect there are so many top players, so many attacking players doing well but if you can't find a player of that quality that has produced consistently as he has then it is obviously sad.
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"You want to be creating and scoring goals and he is one of the best out there. He has risks at the right moment. An absolutely brilliant player who is ready for a World Cup with his maturity. He can do no more. He is an outstanding talent."
Gary Lineker, formerly of Leicester, claimed that it would be "an absolute travesty" if Maddison did not board the plane to Qatar with England's first group game against Iran in a matter of weeks.
Maddison has previously found himself in hot water with England, being pictured leaving a casino after he withdrew from an England squad. Southgate highlighted how the player needed to accept greater responsibility if he wanted to represent his country.
“I’m sure he recognises now that when you are with England, there’s a different sort of spotlight on you and your private life,” he said.
