CHERRIES' rising star Jack Simpson has been called up to the England under-21 squad for the first time.

The talented defender is in contention to feature for Aidy Boothroyd's side in a friendly against Denmark on Tuesday.

Simpson has linked up with Cherries team-mate Lewis Cook, who captained the Young Lions to a 2-1 win over Italy on Thursday.

The call-up came less than a week after Simpson, 21, signed an extension to his contract at Vitality Stadium.

Boothroyd watched the promising youngster play 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup win over MK Dons in August.

Simpson also started in the same competition against Blackburn Rovers, while he came on as a late substitute in the fourth-round victory over Norwich City.

He trained with England under-21s in September but was not not eligible to feature because he was not an official squad member.

The centre-back joined Cherries at the age of eight and became the first academy graduate to start a Premier League game when he featured at Manchester City in December last year.

Simpson is yet to play for Eddie Howe's side in a top-flight fixture this season.