The Three Lions welcome Australia to Wembley on Friday evening for an international friendly before hosting Italy in a European qualifier, with Gallagher and Chelsea team-mate Levi Colwill both seeking starts for the senior side.

Gallagher, who has been skippering Chelsea in recent weeks in the absence of Reece James, previewed England’s fixture and praised both his head coaches for club and country in the build-up to the game.

‘Every game you play is an opportunity to impress and hopefully I can impress Gareth,’ exclaimed Conor. ‘I love playing for England and of course I hope I can get the opportunity to do that again.

‘Winning the last few games with Chelsea gives me a lot of confidence coming into this camp and I feel really positive at the moment.

‘It’s great working with Mauricio, he’s a really great manager and a really nice guy too. We know we are somewhat of a working progress as a club and as a team but we are really enjoying working with him and hoping to really kick on now.’

Conor has been joined in the latest England squad by fellow Cobham graduate Colwill – a player he is tipping for a big future in the game – while Blues team-mate Raheem Sterling again misses out.

Despite Sterling’s omission by Southgate, Gallagher has nothing but praise for the forward and the impact he is having with the Blues so far this season.

‘He’s a top player, Raheem,’ Conor said of our No.7. ‘Mentally, he’s top as well. His attitude and professionalism is amazing.

‘In the last game against Burnley, he was our best player and that shows you how good he is and how important he is for us. Hopefully he can keep performing like that.

‘I rate Levi massively,’ continued Gallagher. ‘He’s a great talent and he’s still so young with so much potential. He’s been great for Chelsea so far this season and with the way he’s going, I’m sure he will be great for England as well as Chelsea in the future.’