SEVEN-year-old Cole Osman was buzzing when he returned home from a school trip – little did he know his day was about to get even better.

Roy Hodgson had picked his squad for tonight’s England friendly with Sweden – and there was a very familiar name in it.

“When he came back I sat him down, put the TV on and saw the confused look on his face,” said his dad, Everton midfielder Leon.

“I said ‘that’s OUR name, you know’. When he realised he was absolutely made up.

“Watching matches, he is usually right next to the telly trying to head them in.

“I’m sure he’ll be allowed to stay up late.”

Having a father who has made 300 appearances for Everton is one thing. Clearly, having one get picked for England for the first time, at the ripe old age of 31, is quite another.

“It was a great moment,” said Osman, who had been subject to some good-natured taunting at Everton’s Finch Farm training ground earlier in the day when David Moyes had ordered his squad to gather round to hear the good news.

“The Famous Five was being split up.

“There’s usually five us left behind there,” said Osman of his normal international week experience.

“Me, Phil Neville, Sylvain Distin, Tony Hibbert and Steven Pienaar, who has retired from international football now.

“There’s not much you can do. It’s usually running.

“I’m sure they will miss me. I’m the lively one.

“But I’m a lot happier to be here I can tell you.”

It is hard not to feel a sense of satisfaction on Osman’s behalf.

For years now he has toiled away in an Everton team punching above their weight, rarely grabbing the headlines but always attacking his role with a professional attitude not always seen elsewhere.

That reason alone means Osman deserves his chance in Stockholm this week, long after most observers thought he was ever likely to be picked.

“Roy said he had admired me for a few years and thought it was time to get me into the squad,” said Osman.

“I am delighted my form has been right for him to do that.

“I wouldn’t say I’d given up. Although it was looking more and more unlikely, as an English lad I would never say never.

“It was something I was hopeful might happen and it’s fantastic to be here.”