Allardyce explored England call-up for Steven N'Zonzi

Mark Noble, Scott Dann, Jason Puncheon, Troy Deeney.

England fans have been busy guessing what surprises Sam Allardyce will include in his first squad at the national team helm, but no predictions are more left-field than his revealed attempts to call up Steven N'Zonzi.

The Sevilla midfielder's father approached Big Sam - the man who brought his son to English football with Blackburn Rovers in 2009 - to ask if the 27-year-old's six seasons in the Premier League made him eligible to represent the Three Lions. It was something Allardyce explored, but N'Zonzi's solitary France Under-21 cap meant FIFA couldn't allow it.

"We did have a call, and it would have been of interest for me," said the burly gaffer. "We did explore it, but it was impossible, and it's dead now."

Rather than N'Zonzi in the middle of the park, Allarydce could call on Noble and Danny Drinkwater in his squad announcement, according to the Guardian, and in defence is expected to reintroduce Luke Shaw to the senior setup following a tibia fracture, which left him sidelined for nearly a year. Jermain Defoe, 33, could also be included after working under Allardyce at Sunderland last season.

The former Bolton Wanderers manager can still lean on James Milner when needed, too. The Liverpool midfielder retired from international duty earlier in August, but has told Allardyce that he's available in a pinch.

"James has said he will always be there for us if we want him," Allardyce explained. "He can't continue to keep traipsing all over Europe without playing. But he will always be there to step in if we need him, if there is a crisis with injuries or suspensions. That is great from my point of view."

The new era steered by the Dudley native begins with a trip to Slovakia next Sunday to begin England's 2018 World Cup qualification campaign. Four days later, it hosts Malta at Wembley.