SAINTS’ England contingent know they have to be at their best to be called up to the Three Lions, according to Ralph Hasenhuttl.

England boss Gareth Southgate overlooked the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Nathan Redmond, Angus Gunn and Ryan Bertrand in his latest squad.

Ward-Prowse and Redmond both received international recognition last season, although the former didn’t make the final cut.

Hasenhuttl said: “The England squad shows it’s always possible to have new players in and some players out.

“There is always rotation and that gives you every time the chance to go back in the squad.

“To go there, you must overperform. Prowsey last season scored a lot of times and made a few fantastic free-kicks.

“Against Tottenham [last weekend] he had a good one but it was a good save from the goalkeeper.

“Both know that to play for England is not so easy. But when you perform well the chance is always there. There are two or three new players in the England squad again.”

Today’s opponents, Chelsea, had three youngsters called up by Southgate for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.

Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori were all selected, with Ross Barkley also receiving the nod.

Abraham recently revealed that he hadn’t made his mind up whether to represent England or Nigeria on the international stage.

But after a solid start to the season which has seen him bag seven goals already, with three of those being a hat-trick against Wolves.

Due to Southgate previously taking charge of the England Under-21s, Hasenhuttl thinks it provides the perfect opportunity for younger players to be given a chance.

“Tammy Abraham after a few games is part of the squad which shows the manager is always looking,” added Hasenhuttl.

“He knows especially about the younger players because of his former job and that’s a good base for them to show up.”