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Leicester playmaker Maddison tells Southgate: I'm not here to make up numbers

Leicester City midfielder James Maddison is determined to win his first England cap.

Maddison has been called up twice but is yet to make an appearance for the Three Lions.

He will have the chance again this week against Bulgaria and Czech Republic.

"What will be will be," he told the BBC. "I'll keep playing my best for Leicester and if that warrants getting called up then that's a proud moment for me and my family, and then if that warrants getting a cap it will be fantastic because I've always wanted to play for England.

"I've been on the bench a few times, but it's not easy to get an England cap.

"It's an honour to be in the squad, some big names have been left out. But I'm hungry to get some minutes.

"I'm not naive enough to sit here and say I should be playing. If that opportunity does come I will be ready, more than ready.

"I'm not going banging on the manager's door saying I need to be playing because this is only my third squad. I keep realistic, but keep hungry to get minutes because that's why I'm here. I'm not here to just make up the numbers."

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Freddie Taylor

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