Nathaniel Chalobah has been called up to the England squad for the Three Lions’ upcoming UEFA Nations League qualifiers against Croatia and Spain.

It is the second time the Watford midfielder has been included in England’s senior set-up after Gareth Southgate selected him last August.

He had to make do with a watching brief from the bench on that occasion and a fractured kneecap suffered in training soon after saw him miss nearly the entirety of last season.

Southgate, though, has been public in his admiration of a player he worked with when he was in charge of the national side’s Under-21 set-up.

The England boss opted to bring Chalobah into his pre-World Cup training camp despite him not being part of his selection for the tournament in Russia.

Chalobah’s inclusion for the games with Croatia and Spain, which take place on Friday, October 12 and Monday, October 15 respectively, comes despite the 23-year-old not starting a Premier League game this season.

He has, however, impressed for the Hornets during Carabao Cup outings and Watford head coach Javi Gracia is happy for the fit-again central midfield man.

He said: “I am very pleased for him because now I think he is feeling better day-by-day after his injury.

“I think he is now in better condition and my opinion of him is he is a very good player for us and for the national team as well. I wish him the best.”

Southgate’s 25-man squad has further Watford connections with the inclusion of Borussia Dortmund starlet Jadon Sancho, who earns his first senior call-up.

The 18-year-old came through the ranks at Vicarage Road before moving to Manchester City and ultimately on to the Bundesliga outfit.