The defender, who will be hoping to make his Three Lions debut in this week’s Nations League matches with Iceland and Denmark, has reflected on a ‘whirlwind’ few days, having only found out he was being added to the squad on Saturday.
On his first day of England training
“It's amazing, absolutely incredible. From the moment I got the phone call on Saturday, it's been a bit of a whirlwind.
“It's an honour to be here, honestly. The standard of training is incredible. It's everything I thought it would be and more, so I'm massively honoured to be here.”
On getting the call from Southgate
“I was actually taking my little boy to his friend’s house.
“I had a text to say Gareth Southgate was trying to ring me, so I ran back to the house, told my wife and she was all excited. I then spoke to Gareth and it was a phone call I'll never forget.
“It was an incredible moment and something I'll remember for the rest of my life. I was shaking and it was an honour to receive it.”
On special news for his family
“I rang my mum and dad straight away. Me and my wife were on the call and she said, ‘We have got a bit of news for you.’
“I had my arm around my wife, so they said, ‘Amie's not pregnant again, is she?!’
“That’s what they thought at first, but then they got emotional when I told them. As any player will tell you, to come here is a really special feeling.
“I didn't quite shed a tear – but Amie and my parents did. It was lovely to see, honestly.”
On biding his time for his first selection
“I always look at it every time an international break comes around. To get to your national team is incredible. I watch all the games and there are some fantastic centre-backs here.
“But I knew if kept working hard at Wolves, I knew something might come. It's amazing.
“To get this call now is absolutely incredible and I'll embrace it as much as possible, to help the team in training or games, and enjoy it as well.
“You always dream about it. I watch every single game as I love watching England, so, getting that phone call was absolutely incredible for me.”
On a potential international debut
“You've always got to be prepared and ready for if and when the time comes. It would be incredible to make my debut for the national team – I don't even know what to say.
“But it's about being ready. I need to work as hard as possible and make sure I'm ready because I'm here to help the team.”
