England teammate Bukayo Saka encourages Jude Bellingham to keep ‘playing with no fear’

Seven players are in the current squad aged 21 or under

Jude Bellingham has stepped up from England U21s to the senior side (Getty Images)

Bukayo Saka has told Jude Bellingham he must try and stay fearless after the 17-year-old was handed his first call-up to the England senior squad.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder could become the third-youngest player in Three Lions history if he makes an appearance in any of the upcoming fixtures with Republic of Ireland first up on Thursday evening at Wembley.

If he plays, only Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney would have made their England debuts at a younger age than the former Birmingham City man.

He was promoted from the under-21 squad after injuries saw both Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Ward-Prowse pull out.

Along with Phil Foden and Bellingham's club-mate Jadon Sancho, Saka is one of four players in the current squad born this century.

The Arsenal youngster made his international debut in the friendly win over Wales last month and already has some words of encouragement for newcomer Bellingham.

"I don't think he needs a lot of advice," said the 19-year-old.

"He is doing amazing things, he is playing for Borussia Dortmund and I saw him the other weekend come on against Bayern Munich so he is doing big things.

"He is doing really well so my advice is just to keep going and keep being fearless because as long as he keeps playing with no fear and showing his talent I think he can go far.

"I played with him last month when we went to the England Under-21s and I was very impressed with him.

"On Tuesday he had his first training session with the team and I was impressed with him again, he is so young and it is just good to see that a young player can come into this environment and play so fearlessly."

Bellingham only made his Birmingham debut last season, with the club retiring his number 22 shirt following his summer move to Germany.

Saka's development has also been rapid, having broken into the Arsenal side last year and he admits his quick progression to a fully-fledged England international has even caught him out.

Bukayo Saka playing for England (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"Yes, 100 per cent," he replied when asked if he was surprised by his speedy rise.

"I didn't believe it would happen this quickly but I am here and I can only control what is in front of me and just do my best to stay here because obviously this is where I want to be and where I have been working to be.

"All the boys have been so good with me.

"From the first minute I came in Harry Kane put his arm around me, spoke to me and asked me how I was and stuff like that - for him to do stuff like that helped me settle in much quicker and made me feel comfortable to be myself around everyone."

PA