James Garner pleased with defining year at Everton after receiving first England call-up

• Midfielder could make debut against Uruguay or Japan

• Garner: ‘I knew I had to show everybody what I’m about’

James Garner always planned this to be a defining year in his career and is reaping the rewards after receiving a first England call-up, the Everton midfielder has said. The 25-year-old could make his international debut over the next week, having impressed Thomas Tuchel with his form.

England face Uruguay on Friday and Japan on Tuesday, giving Garner two chances of an international debut, with this the final chance for players to impress before the World Cup squad is announced. He received the news in a phone call from Tuchel last week, keeping the news to himself for a day before informing his family. “I told myself at the start of the season that this season has to be the season that I can show everyone what I can do and I think so far I have done,” Garner said.