James Tarkowski: 'England call-up is a trial'

Burnley defender James Tarkowski has revealed that he is hoping to secure a spot in the England squad for the World Cup this summer, following a call-up from Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate on Thursday.

The Premier League centre-back has been in fine form this season, playing an instrumental role in Burnley's surprising push for a Europa League spot.

Such form has seen the 25-year-old rewarded with his maiden England call-up for the upcoming friendlies against Netherlands and Italy.

"Playing for England has always been a dream for me but it has only been in the last six months where it has begun to feel like it might be a reality," he told the Daily Mail.

"It feels a bit surreal and I don't think it will sink in until we train with the rest of the squad next week. I watched all the tournaments and had all the England kits as a kid. This will pretty much feel like a trial, a chance to go and show what I can do - and hopefully a chance to play.

"It's been a decent season for us at Burnley so hopefully I can carry that for on. We went through a bad run recently and people wrote us off, which I think actually helped us. Maybe I can bring the Burnley mosh pit everybody hates defending against to England training.

"I haven't booked any holidays yet [during the World Cup], but I know that there is a lot of hard work ahead and I am not getting carried away. It's a fantastic opportunity - but that is all it is at the moment."

Tarkowski has become a regular in Sean Dyche's Burnley side, who have the fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League this season.