Jesse Lingard handed shock England call-up

The 22-year-old was drafted in for Tuesday’s showdown at Wembley shortly after it was confirmed that his United midfield team-mate Michael Carrick and Leicester striker Jamie Vardy have been ruled out with respective ankle and knock issues.

Lingard, who has made five Premier League appearances for United, started last season’s opening game against Swansea before being loaned to Derby where he scored twice in 14 appearances, but he has been given his chance due to injuries in the England squad.

Lingard, 22, has made 11 appearances for England Under-21s but this is his first time with the senior squad.

According to The Daily Star, Louis van Gaal does not want Hodgson to pick Lingard for the England national side as the Dutchman believes he is not ready to make the step up, yet.

England returned from Spain on Saturday and, following the tragic events in Paris on Friday night, it was decided that the game with France would go ahead.

England play host to next summer’s European Championship hosts France on Tuesday evening, with Hodgson left to sweat over the fitness of his midfielders; Carrick will certainly miss the match while Fabian Delph only recently returned from injury himself.

Carrick and Vardy’s absences are a blow to Hodgson, but Lingard has impressed with the Red Devils this season-producing a magnificent assist and then an equally excellent goal in his last two outings with United.