Mauricio Pochettino says Luke Shaw deserves his first international call-up – and he believes all four of Saints’ England stars now have a “great chance” of making the World Cup.

Teenage left-back Shaw was yesterday selected by Roy Hodgson, ahead of next Wednesday’s Wembley friendly against Denmark.

The 18-year-old is joined in the senior squad by teammates Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez, who have all made their England debuts this term.

Pochettino believes his young defender, as well as the more experienced trio, all richly deserve their place.

“I think so. I think all the players that have been called up to the English national side fully deserve it,” he said.

“It’s clear that Roy Hodgson and his team are assessing every single potential English player that could go to the national side.

“It’s all fully deserved for every single player that’s been called-up, and credit to them as well for actually getting those call-ups.”

Wednesday’s match represents the final friendly before Hodgson names his provisional squad for Brazil.

With the World Cup now very much on the horizon, Pochettino believes Shaw, Lambert, Lallana and Rodriguez all have a wonderful opportunity to earn a spot in the tournament this summer.

“It’s clear that, for any player, it’s a massive boost to get called up to the English national side – to any national side – especially looking at the fact that there’s such a short time before the World Cup, which is really soon,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity for them and it gives them a great chance to actually be on that plane to Brazil.”

If Shaw is to make it to Brazil, he will likely have to displace one of Leighton Baines or, perhaps more likely, Chelsea’s out-of-favour full-back Ashley Cole.

Pochettino believes that his player can offer Hodgson a lot of qualities.

“It’s clear that Luke Shaw is younger than the two players that you mention, and that youth transmits good energy to the team,” he said.

“That’s a very good, positive thing for the team.

“It’s a player that is well known, we all know of his quality and it’s clear that if Roy Hodgson has picked him it’s because he feels that he can do well with the English national side, and that he can also complement well Baines and Ashley Cole in that position.

“Overall, it’s a positive thing for him and for the English national side.”