Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke has been called up for the England squad after seven years, and while it comes as a surprise to many, the interim Three Lions manager expressed his belief in the player ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixture.

England are scheduled to face Greece (10 October) and Finland (13 October) in the upcoming fortnight, and Spurs number nine will be a striking presence in the English camp for both the aforementioned fixtures.

The ex-Liverpool striker secured a £65m move to White Hart Lane in the summer, and he has been struggling to find his feet for his new employers. However, while the Spurs faithful weren’t able to see the best of their new number nine for the initial games, he may have found his groove off late. And Lee Carsley has decided to call the £90,000 per week striker to the camp.

Carsley praises Solanke ahead of England call-up

Call-up doesn’t mean that Solanke would be adding to his sole English cap, but he would be hoping to at least double that tally in the upcoming two games. And the England caretaker pointed out some of the more recognisable attributes of the striker in his press conference while addressing the fact that he has worked with Solanke before.

He also went on to suggest that Solanke was a possible name in his last squad, but the injury meant Solanke couldn’t be called up. 

-> Tottenham journalist hammers ‘weak’ 21 y/o with 3/10 rating for Brighton display

The 50-year-old speaking in the press conference said: (via. BBC)

“Dom’s a player I’m fully aware of having worked with him in the past. He was really close to being in the last squad but got injured just before selection.”

“He did so well at Bournemouth, and now he’s taken that form into Spurs. He’s got a lot of really good attributes that I really like, as well as being a really nice person. He’s extremely talented, and it’s good that we’ve got him.”

-> Podcast host expects £12 million centre-back to go on loan next summer

While Dominic Solanke’s call-up has been a surprise, Tottenham fans would be hoping that it gives the player a confidence boost going into the season and he can add to his tally playing upfront for the Lilywhites.