Winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has vowed to take his England chance if he is called upon to face Sweden.
The Arsenal midfielder was preferred to Stewart Downing to start 1-1 draw with France on Monday. The 18-year-old has impressed for both club and country over the past year, and he is now hoping to keep his place for the match in Kiev on Friday.
“Whether I keep my place is not for me to say. I’ll just keep working hard in training and if I do get the call I’ll give it my all,” he said.
“It was a nice surprise but one I needed to expect and be ready for if and when it came. It was a massive honour for me to get out there and represent my country in a competition like Euro 2012.
“I showed in small glimpses what I can do but I would have liked to have done a bit better and got on the ball a bit more in different positions where I like to attack players.”
Despite proving a popular choice among England fans, the former Southampton youngster is being realistic about his involvement in the tournament.
“I’m only 18 and any chance I get, I’ll try to take with two hands. I’m always learning from the boys around me. I’m grateful for any chance I get.
“There are really good players in all positions and there is a lot of competition for places. I’m sure there will be squad rotation because we’ve got the players to do it and there is a lot of physical demands from game to game.”
England face Sweden in Kiev in their second Group D game on Friday.
Matt Cotton
@FindingCotton
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