Gareth Southgate praises 'world-class' James Maddison | OneFootball

James Maddison has been made to wait to earn his first England cap, having been called up on two previous occasions without stepping on the pitch.

The 22-year-old could finally make his Three Lions bow on Thursday when Gareth Southgate’s squad host Montenegro with a chance to clinch automatic qualification to Euro 2020 with a win.

In his pre-match press conference, Southgate heaped the praise onto the Leicester attacker and confirmed that Maddison will have a big role to play going forward.

“He’s a player of outstanding technical ability. He has an eye for an incisive pass, his set-play delivery is world class – absolutely top,” he said.

“With his club now he is in a position as a number eight that he’s really learning more and more about work off the ball.

“His club are pressing in the way we want to press, pretty much. I know Brendan has a focus on that.

“In those areas, work off the ball is as important as with it. Especially the higher level of opponents and tighter games.

“He’s developing well and he has a lot to offer us.”

Domestically, Maddison is off to a flyer, having scored six goals and added two assists so far in 13 games in all competitions.