DANNY Ings said he hasn’t thought twice about missing out on an England call-up back in March.

The Saints ace looked certain on to be named in Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad for their friendlies against Italy and Denmark – especially as both Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford were nursing injuries.

But those games were called off due to the coronavirus crisis as football across Europe shut down to halt the spread of Covid-19.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Ings said: “With everything going on, I’ll be honest, it never crossed my mind once.

“There are things bigger than football and everything that’s going on is crazy and something you don’t expect in your lifetime.

Daily Echo: England boss Gareth SouthgateEngland boss Gareth Southgate

“To think about the England stuff at that time just didn’t cross my mind.

“But to be spoken about in those terms is always a nice feeling as a player.

“I have so much appreciation for all of the work going on in this country and around the world at the moment, so I didn’t even think about England.”

Premier League football is set to return on June 17 after teams returned to contact training last week.

Before England’s top flight was brought to a halt, Ings had netted 18 times in all competitions, with 15 of those coming in the Premier League.

His streak in front of goal helped move Saints climb away from the relegation zone following a difficult start to the 2019/20 campaign.

And the former Liverpool striker reckons he’ll do everything he can to add to his tally once football resumes later this month.

The 27-year-old added: “I’ll do my best to!

“Hopefully, I can come back and hit some good form in the last nine games.

“I’ve been looking after myself in the best way that I can so when, and if, the time comes, I’ll be ready to give it my best shot.”

As Saints’ players continue to prepare themselves for the Premier League’s return, the Saints Foundation is still actively helping the community during the coronavirus pandemic.

They pledged to deliver 12,000 meals to those in need and have also been helping deliver medical prescriptions in partnership with Southampton City Council.

Ings was born in Winchester and, as a local lad, knows just how important the work being done in the community is.

“It’s massive – it really is huge,” Ings explained.

Daily Echo: Danny IngsDanny Ings

“A lot of people only see football as the players playing on Saturday but there is a lot more depth to it.

“Having been part of Burnley’s community with my disability project I got to see all the hard work being done.

“The work being done by Southampton is really important. It’s the meals, the medication and everything that the elderly could need.

“That’s all part of the heartbeat of a football club.

“Organisations like this need to be given the chance to survive because of everything going on with the economy. It’s vital.”