West Ham United goalkeeper Nathan Trott is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Joe Hart and impress on the international stage this week as he teams up with England’s U20s.
Trott, who has helped the Club’s U23s to three wins from their opening four matches this campaign, has been called-up to the young Lions squad to face the Netherlands and Switzerland in international friendlies.
The stopper was part of the England U19 squad which was crowned UEFA U19 European Championship winners in the summer, and has been selected by manager Keith Downing once again for the matches which kick-off with a visit from the Netherlands on Thursday.
And the 18-year-old has been taking as many tips in training from Hart – who has 71 senior international caps – as he can.
He said: “With Joe’s experience with England and in club football, you've only got the option to follow what he does and he's a great character on and off the pitch.
“He also made a lot of appearances at the younger age-groups for England too, so that’s also something to aspire to do myself.
“He is a great professional and these are people that, as a young player, you must look up to. The way he commands and leads the team is on another level. He's also a top class goalkeeper!
“Obviously it's always good to be back with the England squad, and so it's always a honour to represent England.”
Joe is a great professional and these are people that, as a young player, you must look up to. The way he leads the team is on another level
Nathan Trott
Trott did not make an appearance at the Championships in Georgia, playing second fiddle to AFC Bournemouth man Aaron Ramsdale.
The keeper now, however, is hoping to catch the eye and get some minutes on the pitch after impressing so much for the Hammers so early in the season.
“Hopefully I'll get to play my first game for England in the upcoming friendlies,” he continued.
“It's a great feeling knowing that your coaches have the confidence in you to play at the next level of international football.
“The 23s ended the first month of the season very well and the team is in good spirits which was a perfect way to enter the international period and it’s great for those going away with their national teams.”
Training regularly with the first team and travelling to away games with Slaven Bilic’s squad – as Trott did against Newcastle on Saturday – has enabled the youngster to really learn from the likes of Hart and Spaniard Adrian.
“Being around the first team has really pushed me to become a better player,” he explained. “The standard is really high so that benefits me a lot.”
“It's also good to know what happens inside the first team changing room and how the first team players prepare themselves before training and games.
“It just prepares me for when it's my time to step and play first team football.”