Chris Smalling admits he still harbours ambitions of earning a recall to the England squad following his impressive loan spell with Roma.
After being deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester United the defender would head to Italian football on a season-long loan deal with Roma, the 30-year-old impressing since his switch to Serie A.
England have struggled to identify their best central defensive partnership of late and speculation has mounted that the on-loan defender could return ahead of the international break next month.
Smalling earned the last of his 31 caps almost three years ago but has been monitored by England boss Gareth Southgate in recent months, and the centre-back says he has not given up hope of forcing his way into contention ahead this summer’s European Championships after rekindling his career in Italy.
“Obviously it’s been a couple of years now, but that ambition is always there with England,” he told BBC Sport.
“I know that Gareth and the coaching staff have been to a few of my games over here and I guess you know you are in their thoughts if you are playing at a top club.
“I hold those aspirations, and I just try to focus on here and what comes, comes. But I would very much like to be part of [the Euros], for sure.”
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