England Under-20 head coach Keith Downing has claimed that it is important for Marcus Rashford not to be rushed with regards to his international career.

There have been calls for the 18-year-old to be considered by Roy Hodgson for the England senior side after bursting onto the scene at Manchester United.

Rashford earned his first-team debut last month and has scored five goals since, one of which was the winner in last weekend's Manchester derby.

Downing has worked with Rashford at Under-20 level and believes that it is best for the striker to slowly develop his game.

"We've obviously been in contract with Roy," Downing told Sky Sports News. "And we'll have discussions in the next week or two but I think it's slowly, slowly with him.

"I think we don't need to rush him too soon, obviously he will be in Roy's thoughts but I think we have to make a slow, steady progression.

"Credit to him, he's come on the scene in the last two or three weeks, scored some goals and made some massive contributions to Manchester United. It's all part of his learning process and development, certainly on the international stage and we felt the U20s was a particular good age group for him to make that progress."

Rashford joined United's academy in 2005.