Former Gillingham schoolboy Ryan Bertrand could make his England debut this week as his rapid rise shows no signs of stopping.

The 23-year-old, who played for the Gills youth team before being scouted by European champions Chelsea in 2005, has been called up for Wednesday's friendly against Italy.

With a number of Three Lions regulars left out, manager Roy Hodgson has said he wants to give youth a chance.

That will be music to the ears of left back Bertrand, who has had a busy summer representing Team GB at the Olympic Games.

The former Robert Napier pupil also scored his first Chelsea goal yesterday in the Blues' 3-2 defeat to Manchester City in the Community Shield.

A year ago he was on the fringes of the first team, with his future far from certain.

But towards the end of last season he was given a chance to impress by manager Roberto Di Matteo, and put in a string of solid performances, culminating in his shock inclusion in May's Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

Now he is being talked about as a potential long-term replacement for current first choice left back Ashley Cole.