England omissions are a real head-scratcher for Burnley striker Chris Wood

Chris Wood of Burnley celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and West Ham United at Turf Moor on November 09, 2019 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The 28-year-old New Zealander feels at least two, if not three, Clarets should be getting game time for Gareth Southgate's Three Lions.

Pope was named on the bench alongside Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson for the Group B match-up at the Venue Telia Parken in København.

But Wood feels Burnley's Player of the Year is one of the best in the business and deserves to own the number one jersey at international level.

Burnley's English goalkeeper Nick Pope celebrates with defender James Tarkowski after the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Leicester City at Turf Moor(Photo by Oli SCARFF/AFP)

"Popey is a fantastic keeper, as we all know, and we're extremely lucky to have him," he said. "Hopefully we can keep hold of him. He's probably number one in my eyes.

"With shot-stopping, coming for crosses, commanding his box, he's one of the best I think. It's great that we have them here and hopefully we'll keep them."

Tarkowski, meanwhile, was a surprising omission from the squad, a decision last season's leading scorer Wood can't quite comprehend.

The former Leeds United forward believes the centre back, who was included in the Whoscored European Team of the Year, is one of the best Englishmen in the Premier League.

With a number of club set to fight it out for the defender's signature, Wood said: "He's a good player and that's why he's being linked with these top quality teams.

"He's a fantastic player, he's an England player in my eyes and one of the best in the league as an Englishman. He's rightly so being linked with big teams.

"He's an England international, he should be there. He's one of the toughest players I've gone up against in training. If he moves, it's up to him and the club and only he can decide if it's the right move for him.

"I do believe he should be there, especially over some of the other players, but that's not for me to decide because I don't pick the squad. He's a fantastic player."

And Dwight McNeil's absence from Aidy Boothroyd's Under 21s squad remains a mystery. The winger started every game in the top flight last term and, according to Wood, should be considered for the senior side.

He said: "I thought that he should have been touching the national team, let alone the under 21s. He should easily be in that under 21s squad, he should be a starter there without a shadow of a doubt.

"He started 38 games in the Premier League, he was fantastic for us all season. He should be knocking on the door of the first team."