Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe trial with Chelsea has been detailed by one new England teammate.

Blues right-back Reece James witnessed Smith Rowe's trial in person and has since been reunited with the Arsenal playmaker in the England set-up.

The pair, both 21, have been selected in Gareth Southgate's squad to face Albania and San Marino in World Cup qualifiers over the next week.

"I've always known he is a top player. He came to Chelsea when he was quite young, actually, on trial," James told reporters of Smith Rowe on Tuesday afternoon. "I remember playing with him and playing against him.

"Even when he moved to Arsenal, I always knew he was a top player and I think this season he's shown how good he is and why he's been selected."

Asked how Smith Rowe fared in his first training sessions with the senior England squad, James responded: "He's what he's like in games, you know. Everyone can see how well he is and how well he's been doing."