Drinkwater's England dreams set to become a reality

Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater (right) and Jamie Vardy

Danny Drinkwater's exceptional campaign means Leicester's 'puppet master' will this week make his England debut - recognition the midfielder had all but given up on when boyhood club Manchester United let him go.

A graduate of the club’s fabled academy, the highly-rated midfielder spent time on loan at Huddersfield, Cardiff, Watford and Barnsley before the Old Trafford giants decided to cut ties without so much as a first-team appearance.

Drinkwater ranks the moment he found out United had accepted Leicester’s offer as one of the lowest of his career, but that move in January 2012 has gone better than anyone could have imagined.

While his former team desperately scramble around trying to reach the top four, the 26-year-old is leading the Foxes in the most unlikely of title charges and is now looking forward to his England debut.

Roy Hodgson confirmed the midfielder will feature in one of the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Holland, if not both - news Drinkwater was unaware of as his rapid ascent starts an exciting new chapter.

Asked if he thought he would ever get to his point, he said: “Well, no not really to be honest.

“But now I am, I am more than happy. It is a total honour and I am looking forward to it.

“I wasn’t really focusing on this as a target. It has just sort of happened which is massive.

“It is absolutely huge and it just highlights what type of a season it has been.

“You hear little things here and there but I was kind of focusing on club football. It has just kind of happened and I am over the moon.”

Leicester team-mate Jamie Vardy’s progress to the national team paved the way for Drinkwater and acted as inspiration.