Martin Kelly believes the Barclays Premier League's newly introduced 'home-grown player' rule will present England's most promising talent with a greater opportunity to make a name for themselves.

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New legislation meant that top-flight clubs last week had to submit a squad of up to 25 players for league games, which needed to include at least eight home-grown players and no more than 17 non home-grown players.

Home-grown players are defined as those who, irrespective of nationality or age, have been affiliated to the FA or Welsh FA for a period of three seasons or 36 months prior to their 21st birthday.

In addition, clubs can supplement their squads with an unlimited number of players under the age of 21 - the category Kelly falls into.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I think it could help, yes. It's the right rule to bring in because it's good for us to get opportunities.

"If you don't take your chance then you don't take it, but as long as you're given it, that's what matters.

"That's what seems to be happening with the home-grown rule and it's helping quite a bit."

Meanwhile, Kelly admits his breakthrough into the England U21 setup was the realisation of a target he set for himself last season.

The defender marked his debut for Stuart Pearce's side with a goal against Uzbekistan last month and was named in the squad for the European Championship qualifying fixtures with Portugal and Lithuania.

Click on the image to watch Kelly reveal details of his talks with Hodgson

"It was announced on the website, which I was checking," explained Kelly. "The next day when I came into training, I received a letter to say I was in the squad and it was a great feeling.

"It was one of my targets last season - when I played for the U19s, I was telling my family I wanted to play for the U21s.

"Going to work with a manager like Stuart Pearce was brilliant, as was working with all the top young players who are coming through and just breaking into the senior squads at their clubs."

Despite a promising start to his fledgling international career, Kelly isn't daring to dream of catching Fabio Capello's eye just yet.

He added: "It's not on my mind at the minute. I am just focusing on what is happening now, which is trying to get a place in Liverpool's senior squad or to be thought of when there are injuries.

"The U21s was a good experience and I'd love to be given the chance to show Stuart what I can do again."

Kelly's progression is mirrored at club level, with the 20-year-old having already turned out four times for Liverpool's first team so far this term.

"Roy's just told me to keep working hard," he said. "It's a great experience working with a manager like Roy. Working with him and the players here is the best thing I can be doing at this moment in my career.

"I am enjoying the fact I am training day in, day out with such good players and such good management staff."