His good form in the 2011–12 season saw him make his senior England début in the 1–0 win over Spain, coming on for Scott Parker as a substitute in the 85th minute. He made his first start on 15 November, in a 1–0 win against Sweden, after which he was the man-of-the-match. He missed the 2012 European Championships because of a toe injury, suffered in a league match against Fulham.