England Under-21s manager Gareth Southgate has backed some of his current players to force their way into Roy Hodgson's squad for the World Cup this summer.

Southgate will be without the services of Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling and Southampton full-back Luke Shaw for Wednesday's U21 European Championship qualifier against Wales after the pair were called up to the senior squad for England's friendly against Denmark later that evening.

The 43-year-old is pleased that the link between the two teams is working and hopes that the example set by the likes of Sterling and Shaw will inspire others to push for senior honours.

"We want that pathway to be there and it is great for the other boys in the squad to see that we have that close link with Roy and that he is looking at them in the matches," Southgate told PA.

"When the first team are [at St George's Park] he looks at [the Under-21s] in training. They need to see that it is possible and achievable, and it is. There are a number of them in the squad that have got a great chance of being part of the seniors over the next few years.

"I think Roy is always looking at players and always looking to see if his own squad can get stronger and better. None of us know what is going to happen injury-wise. So certainly for one or two, the door [to the World Cup] is open, I'm sure."

England currently sit top of their qualifying group having won five and drawn one of their six matches so far.