Hodgson says ex-Charlton ace is Gunner be one for England’s future

Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson missed out on an England call-up but Roy Hodgson has said he'll be monitoring the defender closely. Photo credit: Adam Davy/EMPICS

Thursday, October 4, 2012
3:50 PM

Roy Hodgson has promised that Arsenal full-back Carl Jenkinson is being looked at very closely despite missing out on the England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying double-header against San Marino and Poland.

Gunners team-mate Kieran Gibbs did receive a call-up, having already won two caps from Wembley friendlies against Hungary and France in 2010.

Jenkinson was this week quizzed about his international future and revealed, before the north Londoners’ Champions League win over Olympiakos, that he had been approached by Finland, as he holds dual nationality.

He has already played youth football for both England and the Scandinavian nation but speculation had mounted that Hodgson was considering a first senior Three Lions selection.

Today the national coach said: “Gibbs and Jenkinson have done exceptionally well for Arsenal.

“Jenkinson was a player we thought a lot about but decided we didn’t have quite that many places. He is certainly a player we will think about for the future.

“Gibbs, [Aaron] Lennon and [Ryan] Shawcross are players we need to see at closer hand.

“I have seen them from the stands but it will be nice to have a chance to work with them and see how they could contribute to the team we are trying to build up.

“There has to be some sort of rejuvenation process with the England team when a new coach comes in.

“I am very much aware that Brazil is two years down the road if we are good enough to get there.

“And in two years maybe these lads will be real stars in the Premier League.”