Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson could be in line for a surprise call-up to the England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against San Marino.

The Daily Mail has reported that Roy Hodgson is considering selecting the former Charlton right-back after learning of the long-term injury to Liverpool defender Martin Kelly.

A cruciate injury means Kelly will be out of action for several months, while his fellow Liverpool defender Glen Johnson cannot feature against San Marino as he is serving a one-match suspension.

Carl Jenkinson
Jenkinson battles fellow youngster Raheem Sterling earlier this season [Reuters] Reuters

Hodgson is likely to play Tottenham's Kyle Walker at right-back, but with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones both currently sidelined, his options have been severely limited and Jenkinson could well be used as cover.

The 20-year-old has hugely impressed this season after being handed the chance to deputise for the injured Bacary Sagna. Jenkinson has started all five league games and has been part of a stringent back four which has conceded just two league goals.

Having moved from Charlton to the Emirates in the summer of 2011 for just £1million, Jenkinson had a difficult start to his Arsenal career when he was sent-off in the 8-2 defeat to Manchester United.

However, he came back strong from that disappointment and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believes that he will become an important player for England.

"I believe Jenkinson will have an impact here and you will fight for him not to play for Finland," Wenger is quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.

Jenkinson, born in Harlow, has represented Finland at Under-21 level and Hodgson may decide to select him in the squad in order to prove that he has a future playing for the country of his birth.

A similar situation arose in the last qualifier against Ukraine when Raheem Sterling was called up to the squad, amid suggestions that Jamaica had wanted to recruit the Liverpool youngster.

Ukraine Manchester United FC