England right to ditch 'big-club bias' and give likes of James Warde-Prowse and Nathan Redmond their chance

The prospect of an international break is no longer greeted warmly by English football fans.

But two men in particular will be thrilled by an impending chance to prove their worth in a clash against 'old foes' Germany and a 2018 World Cup qualifier versus Lithuania; James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond.

The Southampton duo, aged 22 and 23 respectively, have been rewarded for some stellar form for the South Coast outfit with their first senior call-ups.

Given that the pair have a combined total of 60 Under-21 caps, some would argue that it is a case of 'about time too'.

Yet a proportion of others are adamant Gareth Southgate's first squad as permanent England manager proves that the nation's current crop of players are nothing to get excited about.

The words bang and average have sprung to many a mind. But is this squad really as weak as some would suggest? Or do the newbies deserve their opportunity?

Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier is well placed to assess the youngsters' development.

And the 48-year-old is convinced an upward curve culminating in last month's controversial EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester United suggests the duo have forced their way into the fold on merit.

"Their potential has been spoken about for quite a while and in the past few weeks they've really upped their game," Le Tissier told Standard Sport.

"They both had excellent games in the [EFL] Cup final which brought them more to peoples' attention.

"There was a spell earlier in the season when Redmond was struggling for form in front of goal - he looked a little bit nervous - but in the last few weeks he's improved on that and rightfully he's got a chance to prove himself.

"James Ward-Prowse has been involved in the Under-21s for a long time and we've always known he's had the quality there.

"It was just a case of getting a long run in the team and putting in consistent performances," added Le Tissier.

Neither midfielder has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top. One-club man Ward-Prowse is a product of Southampton's youth system - and a proud one at that.

The capable technician has been a regular since Southampton's return to the top-flight in 2012 and rated highly by the likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Ronald Koeman and now Claude Puel.

Redmond began his career with hometown club Birmingham City before joining Norwich in 2013. Three years with the Canaries saw his stock rise steadily and a switch to Southampton last summer has given Redmond an ideal platform to build upon.

He has featured in all but one of Southampton's top-flight fixtures this season and Ross Barkley (53) is the only Englishman with more key passes than Redmond (43).

The importance of playing regularly should not be understated and is - crucially - rarely a luxury afforded to those at the nation's biggest clubs.

Simply being on the payroll - or substitutes' bench - of a top-four team has previously seen players looked upon favourably when compared to those battling away in mid table.

But the pool of players to choose from with Champions League experience is quickly evaporating and England casting their nets into the mid to lower reaches of the Premier League could soon become the norm.

Southgate's squad reflects that with 12 players included in the original 26-man selection who ply their trade for a club outside of the Premier League's top six - later reduced to 11 after Michail Antonio withdrew nursing a hamstring problem.

The Hawthorns, Goodison Park and St. Mary's may not be the most fashionable places to play but those operating outside of the limelight are surely worthy of consideration?

The Best of the Rest?

Le Tissier, whose own international career yielded just eight caps after being born into an era blessed with a wealth of forward talent, is convinced big-club bias is on the way out due to necessity rather than choice.

"He's mixed it up a bit, for sure," Le Tissier said of Southgate's squad.

"England managers recently have been forced to move away from big-club bias because there aren't too many Englishman who are playing regularly for the big clubs.

"His hand has been forced a bit there. By all accounts [Wayne] Rooney was fit for selection and hasn't been picked which is quite a statement.

"You'd like to think an England manager would pick players who are in form, regardless of what club they're at.

"That does get easier for them now that the competition is not quite as hot as it was 20 years ago," Le Tissier added.

The current crop of young hopefuls attempting to force their way into the senior side cannot be described as a Golden Generation. But does that matter? It didn't exactly turn out very well for the last one, did it?

Tapping into the talent on offer at so-called smaller clubs is to be welcomed - not dismissed - if Southgate is to successfully craft the team England craves.

Matt Le Tissier is supporting Jeff Stelling’s latest unbelievable walking challenge for Prostate Cancer UK. Stelling aims to raise £500,000 on his March for Men. That’s 15 walking marathons in 15 days from June 2-16, from Exeter City to Newcastle United – St James Park to St James’ Park. For more details go to prostatecanceruk.org/jeffsmarch

The mega event is part of Prostate Cancer UK’s wider walking programme, March for Men, which includes a trio of Local Walks across Father’s Day weekend, including one in London on Saturday, June 17th. British dancer Wayne Sleep, is set to front the march and walk with his family and friends at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London. To find out more about the London walk go to marchformen.org