Gareth Southgate has warned England boss Roy Hodgson that he risks hindering Marcus Rashford's development if he receives a senior call-up too soon.
The Manchester United striker, 18, continues to go from strength to strength this season, and netted the winner in Sunday's Manchester derby - his fifth goal in eight games.
He could make his debut for the Three Lions at Under-20 level against Canada on Sunday, though it has been suggested that he may get fast-tracked into the senior set-up - a notion which Under-21 coach Southgate advises against.
"The top talents in the world get into first teams young and establish themselves," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "We are very conscious that when you promote a young player too quickly there can be fallout from that and at times the right thing is to move them back down and that is always more difficult.
"Life is very different for someone like Marcus, who has just scored the winner in a Manchester derby. At club level, at some point he might find himself in their U21 side and that is a difficult process for a young person to deal with, so we don't want to add to that internationally.
"Let's assess his progress. There is no rush. Roy [Hodgson] has a very settled squad and is very strong in that area of the pitch. Everyone I speak to at United says he's very level-headed, so they don't have concerns about his mentality, but of course his world has changed dramatically in the last few weeks."
Rashford has been previously capped by England at Under-16 and Under-18 level.
Shane Callaghan
