Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has expressed both delight and "relief" for earning his first senior call-up to the England squad ahead of friendly fixtures against Brazil and Belgium this month.
The 23-year-old has been a standout performer for the Magpies in his first full season at the club, contributing with 10 goals and seven assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.
Gordon has previously represented England from Under-18 to Under-21 level and has now been given the opportunity to showcase his talent with Gareth Southgate's senior Three Lions squad just a few months before Euro 2024 begins this summer.
"Words can't describe what it means to be honest," Gordon told NUFC TV after receiving his first call-up. "Relieved. You know you have a little chance, but finding out for that first time it's such a relief.
"It's what I've been working my whole life for so to get the call-up is incredible. I found out about an hour before training (on Thursday) through a text message from the FA.
"I remember reading the message on my phone and all the nervous feelings I have had over the past few days just drained from my body, and I was just over the moon.
The nerves felt by Gordon intensified on Monday night when he was forced off with a knee injury in the first half of Newcastle's 3-2 Premier League loss against Chelsea, with England boss Southgate in attendance at Stamford Bridge.
Magpies manager Eddie Howe has since issued a positive update on Gordon, who took part in training on Thursday, while the winger himself has confirmed he has not sustained a serious injury after an initial sense of "panic".
Discussing the last few days on a personal level both physically and emotionally, Gordon said: "It's been a really up and down, I have a weird couple of days. I was looking forward to the Chelsea game so much.
"I knew it was a big opportunity for me. Monday Night Football, two teams who are fighting each other, a big occasion and then in the game I picked up a slight injury which made me panic a lot at the time.
"You don't mess about with your knees in football, so when I had those feelings I was just praying it was nothing serious and thankfully for me it wasn't.
"The day after the game I came into training and it didn't feel bad at all. It hadn't swelled up and usually with a knee if it swells it could be a bad problem. I didn't swell so I was really confident then.
"I know my own body so I sort of knew in that moment I was fine, but in the game when you get shooting pains, it can offset you and it made me panic a lot."
Gordon has admitted that it is hard to describe the feeling of receiving his first senior call-up to the national team, adding: "We as footballers chase this dream from four or five years of age and every day of your life is heading to achieve this dream. The closer and closer you get to it, you just want it that bit more.
"Thankfully I've managed to get it and it's a massive achievement for me. I'm so happy, I couldn't be any happier with the way things are going, but ultimately, I don't just want to be called up for this camp, I want to stay in the England squad."
Asked if it is a good time to receive his call-up ahead of Euro 2024, Gordon said: "Definitely, right before a tournament, but I've never dreamt of just playing for England, that's not my aspiration.
"My aspirations are to have an impact on the England squad and hopefully be part of a team that wins a tournament. The team we've got, the staff we've got at the moment is second to none, so I don't see why we can't do that".
"I've always backed myself no matter what's going on in my life," Gordon added. "I always knew I'd get to this point, it was just a matter of when because I know how hard I work day in day out.
"I believe I can overcome anything that's put in my way. Even though I started slowly (at Newcastle) I had a dream and I believed in myself that I would get to this point".
Gordon is hoping to be available for selection when Newcastle travel to FA Cup holders Manchester City for a quarter-final clash at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.
The winger will then meet up with the rest of Southgate's 25-man squad at St George's Park next Tuesday in preparation for England's friendly encounter with Brazil at Wembley Stadium on March 23.
