England have leapfrogged Nigeria in the race for Queens Park Rangers sensation Eberechi Eze after the striker cum attacking midfielder was included in the Young Lions squad for games in October.

Eze, who has caught the eye for QPR this campaign and was recently named the club's Player of the Month, has received his first call-up to the England team and could debut for the U20s when they face Italy at Mill Farm, AFC Fylde on October 11.

Explaining why Eze was named in the 18-player squad, Paul Simpson told thefa.com : ''We have a very similar squad to last month and are pleased to welcome Aaron Ramsdale back after injury.

''We have a couple of new faces in Kyle Edwards and Eberechi Eze, both of who have impressed at their clubs so far this season.''

Eze trained with Nigeria's National Team in London back in March 2017, along with ex-England U19 captain Ola Aina who later became cap-tied to Nigeria ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

The 20-year-old Londoner has scored 2 goals in his last five matches in the EFL Championship.

England U20s face Czech Republic in their second international friendly on October 15.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel