From Theo Walcott to Raheem Sterling – a look at England’s youngest debutants

Jude Bellingham’s call-up to the England squad for the first time could see his name enter the record books should he make his debut against the Republic of Ireland this week.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who will be 17 years and 136 days old when Gareth Southgate’s side play on Thursday night, will become the third youngest player in Three Lions’ history if he collects his first cap at Wembley.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the other players who made their England debuts at the tender age of 17.

Theo Walcott

Age: 17 years and 75 days
Debut: May 30, 2006 v Hungary

He was a 65th-minute substitute in a 3-1 win over Hungary at Old Trafford, but watched the World Cup from the bench as the Three Lions were knocked out by Portugal on penalties in the quarter-finals.

Walcott’s most memorable moment in an England shirt was his hat-trick in a 4-1 win in Croatia in a World Cup qualifier in 2008.

Wayne Rooney

Age: 17 years and 111 days
Debut: February 12, 2003 v Australia

The Derby captain is England’s most capped outfield player, representing his country 120 times, and is second on the all-time list behind Peter Shilton (125).

James Prinsep

Age: 17 years and 252 days
Debut: April 1879 v Scotland

Prinsep held the distinction of being England’s youngest ever player for almost 124 years before the record was broken by Rooney. His only cap came in a game where the Three Lions came from 4-1 down to win 5-4 against Scotland at the Kennington Oval.

Prinsep died in 1895 at the age of 34 as a result of complications from pneumonia.

Thurston Rostron

Age: 17 years and 311 days
Debut: February 1881 v Wales

Rostron played twice for his country, winning both caps aged just 17. He made his bow during a 1-0 defeat to Wales at Blackburn. Rostron died aged 28 in 1891.