Despite being 23 years of age, Celtic striker Gary Hooper could be called into the England U21 squad for the first time today.

The Loughton-born former Scunthorpe United star has made an impressive start to his career in Scotland, scoring 15 times in 23 appearances for the Hoops, and now could find himself in a Three Lions shirt according to reports.

Stuart Pearce is expected to bring Hooper into his squad for friendlies with Denmark and Iceland this month and the player qualifies through age-group variances.

Hooper is hoping to be fit for Wednesday's rescheduled Scottish Cup clash with Inverness Caledonian Thistle following a knee injury. The match which was originally fixtured for yesterday, was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.