FOOTBALLERS are a right suspicious bunch. Why else would they almost universally greet a debut international call-up with the phrase “I thought it was a prank at first”?

Jack Rodwell was the latest to live up to that particular stereotype having picked up the phone and been told he’d been included in the England squad for the forthcoming friendlies.

It may have required a host of absentees for Rodwell to be given the nod at just 20 years of age, but it was the next logical step for a player who has appeared for the national team at under-16, U17, U19 and U21 level.

The departure of Mikel Arteta has given Rodwell no option but to step up to the plate for David Moyes. And, alongside Marouane Fellaini, the youngster is forging a fledgling partnership at the heart of Everton’s midfield.

Of encouragement to Moyes will be the fact Rodwell is now also chipping in with goals, his late strike at Fulham followed by a fine header against Newcastle United.

Rodwell becomes the fifth Everton Academy graduate to be called up for England in the Premier League era, but will be aiming to not overly follow in his predecessors’ footsteps. Three of those to have trodden such a path, Michael Ball, Gavin McCann and Franny Jeffers, won only a cap each.

But with Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines already England squad regulars, it perhaps emphasises the fact Everton should be a lot higher than 17th in the Premier League table.