Middlesbrough's FA Youth Cup final skipper is on the verge of being fast-tracked through to the England under-21 set-up.

Highly-rated Andrew Davies, who leads his side into the second leg of the final at Old Trafford this evening, has already made his Premiership debut.

And, despite only being 18, Northern Echo SPORT understands Davies is being considered by under-21s boss David Platt for a call-up.

Boro's young defender has already represented England at Under-20s level, but has been left frustrated at regular omissions from squad lists for his country.

"I haven't really been involved with England in all the other age groups - under-15s, under-16s and under-17s - I missed out on those," said Davies, who also qualifies to play for Wales.

"So it just shows how things are going for myself and it was nice to be in the under-20s.

"I have always asked myself why I've been left out of the squads - and I really don't know the answers.

"I can't say it was my performances because I think they were really good. Getting my first-team debut shows that, so I really don't know why I was always overlooked."

Billingham boy Davies made his first-team debut at Ipswich this season in the Worthington Cup, when the Tractor Boys won 3-1 at Portman Road in November.

And on January 28 he made his first League appearance when Boro lost 5-2 to Aston Villa.

Davies, whose brother Mark plays cricket for Durham, is now eager for more seniors action. "I have had a really good season this year and I know people think highly of me at the club,'' he said.

"I've also been playing in the reserves all season, so that was nice.

"But I know it's going to be harder next year because I want to do better. I don't want to consider myself as just a squad member and I know if I'm patient I will get there in the end."

The 2-0 reverse at the Riverside last week in the first leg of the FA Youth Cup final has left the Boro young guns with a lot to do tonight.

Goals from Kieran Richardson, who has already played in the Champions League, and Ben Collett have given Brian McClair's side a great chance to lift the trophy for the first time since 1995.

But, despite trailing, Davies is convinced Boro can claw their way back and bring the silverware back to the North-East for the first time in the club's history.

"We were disappointed because it has left us with an uphill struggle," said Davies, who scored the winning goal in the semi-final against Manchester City.

"But spirits are still high and hopes are high that we can go to Old Trafford and get something.

"We have got to go there hoping to score an early goal ourselves and if we can do that then it will be a completely different game.

"All of the lads are confident that we can go and do it so hopefully we will be OK.

"Last year I think we only played two games in the competition, so it's a real credit just to get to the final - but it's not over yet."