Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy has been welcomed into the England squad by new captain Steven Gerrard - in Dubai!

Ruddy, one of two uncapped players in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad, had a chance encounter with the Liverpool star at a Dubai hotel.

Ruddy, 25, jetted off to the Middle East with his fiancée Laura after being named in England's Euro 2012 line-up.

He told The Sun: "Funnily enough when I was in Dubai, Stevie Gerrard was there in the same hotel.

"I also saw Leighton (Baines) who I played with at Everton and I went up to check he was wearing sun block as he is a bit pale. Ashley Young was also there.

"Stevie was nice enough to come up and congratulate me. I was setting up a sunbed and did not initially see him. He came up behind me and said 'congratulations' and shook my hand. It was really nice of him. He was there with his missus. I was really grateful for that.

"I cannot wait to get started. They all seem like really nice guys and, hopefully, I can settle into the squad. You have four Manchester City players coming off winning the Premier League and four Chelsea players coming off the back of winning the Champions League so the squad should be on a high.

"That bodes well for the performances."