Tammy’s up for friendly opportunity

TAMMY Abraham wants the opportunity to prove himself at international level after being handed his first senior England call-up for the friendlies against Germany and Brazil.

Abraham was drafted into the squad alongside Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Joe Gomez, with the trio all fledgling Premier League players who have been fast-tracked into the England set-up for the fixtures at Wembley.

Abraham has scored five times in 14 appearances while on loan at Swansea from Chelsea this season and now hopes he can show enough to Gareth Southgate in training to hand him his England bow against either Germany on Friday or Brazil next Tuesday.

The 20-year-old striker said: “It would be a massive achievement for me and a big confidence boost as well, it would show that I’m going in the right direction.

“If I do get my opportunity I’d like to grab it as much as I can.

“I feel like I’m ready but it won’t be easy.”

Abraham feels his England prospects are improved by having Southgate at the helm, with the former Middlesbrough boss stating his willingness to give youth a chance as he begins preparations for the 2018 World Cup.

This week will be the first time the pair have directly worked together, with Abraham coming into contention for the Under-21s just as Southgate was making the step up to the national team.

But Abraham revealed the ex-Aston Villa and England centre-half has always been on hand to offer welcome advice.

He added: “Gareth is a great manager and he likes to bring up young talent.

“It’s obviously a big confidence booster to us.”