England consider surprise call-up for EFL star who Neil Warnock hails as club's best signing for many years

England boss Tuchel is monitoring Middlesbrough's Lankshear, the Championship's top scorer with 13 goals, ahead of Friday's squad announcement.

Thomas Tuchel is keeping close tabs on Middlesbrough striker Lankshear ahead of naming his England squad on Friday. The 21-year-old former Tottenham player has been in outstanding form in the Championship this season, scoring 13 goals in as many games and earning his England Under-21 debut in September, where he came off the bench to score.

Tuchel's scouts are due to attend Middlesbrough's trip to Wrexham on Wednesday, with Lankshear's performance potentially decisive in whether he receives a surprise call-up to the senior squad. It would mark a significant leap for the striker, who joined Boro on a five-year deal last summer after scoring 11 league goals for Oxford United on loan.

Legendary manager Neil Warnock praised Lankshear as "the best signing they've made for many years," highlighting how Championship football helps young players acclimatise before stepping up to the Premier League's faster pace. However, Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg said he had "no clue" whether Lankshear would be selected.