It must be a daunting experience for any young player when they join the senior squad for the first time.

Accustomed to being the centre of attention in the youth ranks, youngsters are required to work their way up again once they hit the first team.

The lifestyle for inexperienced players is easier than it once was - there was a time when first team players had their boots cleaned by the up-and-coming bunch - but they still have to work hard in order to reach the very top.

Just look at Trent Alexander-Arnold, who revealed the sacrifices he’s had to make in order to reach Liverpool's first team in an interview with the Telegraph last year.

“I know I always have to work hard off the pitch, making sure I get the right food is also important because friends who aren’t in your position might want to go for a quick McDonald’s or something like that and influence you in a bad way,” the 19-year-old, who on Wednesday helped Liverpool reach the semi-final of the Champions League, said.

Alexander-Arnold is now reaping the benefits of his hard work. And another player who could soon be rewarded for shunning the vices that come with being a rich man at a very early age is Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

According to the Mail, the Crystal Palace midfielder will be included in England’s World Cup squad provided he can stay injury free until the end of the season.

Loftus-Cheek v Drogba

Loftus-Cheek is on loan at Palace from Chelsea and the move has done him a lot of good. The 22-year-old missed three months of the season due to an ankle injury but he’s still managed 20 appearances in all competitions for the Eagles.

And Gareth Southgate has clearly been impressed with what he’s seen.

It’s easy to forget that Loftus-Cheek is still so young considering how long he’s seemingly been around for.

He joined Chelsea at the age of eight and even got the chance to go up against Didier Drogba in training as a 14-year-old.

Speaking to Soccer AM, Loftus-Cheek recalled the moment he went up against the Ivorian striker - and quickly realised he needed to hit the gym.

“I remember it so clear because I was still at school,” Loftus-Cheek said.

“I was 14 but it was on a thing called day release, so we took the day off school on a Wednesday to train and do school at Cobham and at the end of the day we got asked to train with the first team just because of numbers.

“There was a drill where it was like a 1v1 drill and I got partnered with Drogba. I was going 1v1 with Drogba when I was 14.

“‘Okay, I need to get like that. I need to start hitting the gym.’

“But I was still young then. He was a physical presence and his shooting was immense.”