Troy Deeney says he has twice been approached to play for Jamaica but - while Watford’s captain hasn’t ruled out representing the Reggae Boyz - he admits he has ambitions of playing for England.

Over the past three and a half years Deeney has become one of the most prolific English strikers in the country.

He has scored twenty or more goals in each of the last three Championship campaigns and played a huge role in helping the Golden Boys secure promotion to the Premier League last season.

And Deeney has impressed in the top flight despite not yet finding the net. The 27-year-old has been used in a deeper role by Quique Sanchez Flores this term and already has three assists to his name.

The ease at which Deeney has settled in the Premier League led to speculation that he could receive an England call-up sooner rather than later.

But last week the former Walsall striker said he hadn’t yet done enough to earn a spot in Roy Hodgson’s squad. An honest assessment.

And it was one he reiterated in an interview with talkSPORT yesterday evening.

“I would never say pick me because I play for Watford. You’ve got to earn your stripes,” Deeney said.

“Of course [I have ambitions of playing for England]. There is no point reaching the best league in the world and thinking 'I’ve made it. Let’s sit back and enjoy this five year contract'.

“I want to keep progressing and I’ve got kids to inspire. I am talking about my kids, not other people’s kids. And if my mum got to see me play for England that is the best feeling in the world.”

Deeney is a realist. He knows competition for a place in the Three Lions squad is fierce.

Watford's talisman is up against the likes of Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Danny Ings, Andy Carroll and, although he is currently injured, Danny Welbeck. 

So it would have been easy for Deeney to accept Jamaica’s approach to represent the country of his heritage.

“I haven’t turned it down,” he explained. “They’ve twice come to see me and have asked the question. I am eligible for it.

“The thing is - if I had gone on this trip - they are playing South Korea away (on Tuesday night) and I would’ve got back from that until the Friday. We then play Arsenal on the Saturday.

“So it isn’t working out for me at the moment. I am getting enough grief that I am not scoring, so if I was travelling around the world and still not scoring then I would get even more grief.”