CHERRIES veteran Adam Smith said that he could not understand why talismanic teammate Dominic Solanke did not receive an England call-up last month – stating: “Maybe because he plays for little old Bournemouth.”

Solanke notched his 16th Premier League goal of the campaign at the weekend, opening scores against Everton in an eventual 2-1 win.

Defender Smith was partly involved in the goals as well, his cross turned into the goal by Everton defender Seamus Coleman to gift Cherries the victory.

Despite Solanke’s best return in a Premier League season, the 26-year-old now having equalled Josh King’s club record for goals in a single top-flight campaign, the former Liverpool man was omitted from Gareth Southgate’s most recent England squads.

Ivan Toney, who recently returned from a lengthy ban, and Ollie Watkins were the preferred back-ups to England captain Harry Kane.

Smith began: "I've said it all along, he should be in the England squad.

"He is a top player, a top professional who can do everything.

"I don't really understand why he isn't in the England squad.

“Maybe because he plays for little old Bournemouth.

“He's a top player and if he keeps scoring goals like this I am sure he will get in the squad."