PATRICK BAMFORD insisted today that he never gave up on the hope of an England call-up.

The 27-year-old Leeds striker is in the Three Lions squad for the first time for the World Cup qualifiers with Hungary, Andorra and Poland, which kick off from Thursday night.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s withdrawal through injury means that Bamford and Harry Kane are the only two recognised forwards in Gareth Southgate’s squad.

Bamford never played a game for Chelsea during five years at Stamford Bridge and spent time on loan at MK Dons, Norwich, Burnley, Middlesbrough, Derby and Palace before joining Boro permanently in 2017. But he always believed that he would make it with England.

“Not every player’s career pathway is the same,” he said. “At different times in your career you have different obstacles in the way. I always believed it was going to happen and hoped I would get to this level.

“Without speaking out loud, I always had that self-belief I was capable. I knew I would never give up until the day I retired. …

“It’s every kids’ dream isn’t it? It’s very cliched to say every kid grows up dreaming of being a footballer and playing for England, but it’s true. It’s the pinnacle to represent your country.”

Bamford, who has scored 44 goals in 114 appearances for Leeds, hopes he can have a similar impact to United teammate Kalvin Phillips after his impressive Euro 2020 performances.

“A lot of people didn’t understand why he was in the team and then the Euros he had was fantastic,” Bamford said of the midfielder. “People now understand and realise what a great player he is.”

The striker missed out in the summer as England reached the final, losing to Italy on penalties, but admitted it gave him extra motivation.

“I enjoyed watching it, like very England fan did,” Bamford said. “The rush it gave the country as a whole. It made me want to be involved even more.”

England kick off against Hungary in Budapest at 7.45pm on Thursday.