Jordan Henderson's first taste of professional football was being photographed on the shoulders of Ryan Giggs as a three-year-old. Giggs and his then Manchester United team-mate David Beckham were the players that Henderson looked up to as a youngster.

Now 17 years after that holiday snapshot, Giggs is still playing with distinction for the Red Devils while Henderson could win his first England cap in Wednesday's international friendly with France at Wembley. The Sunderland midfielder has had a meteoric rise up the footballing ladder but gave another demonstration of his potential in Sunday's shock 3-0 away win over Chelsea.

"I would say the two people I liked the best when I was young were Giggs and Beckham," said Henderson. "When I was really young, I met Giggs on holiday, which is a big thing when you are young. I'm not sure where it was. I can just remember my mum has got a picture of me on his shoulders and I was only a baby."

There was never a chance of going to Newcastle or Middlesbrough. My dad is a Sunderland fan, all my friends are Sunderland fans and I am a Sunderland fan.
Jordan Henderson, Sunderland

"Giggs and Beckham were the two I looked up to and I liked the way United played. I have not tried to emulate anyone as a player. I have liked players and watched them - like Beckham and Giggs - but I have never tried to play like someone.

"I also like the fact that you see a lot of people in the headlines for the wrong reasons but, with Ryan Giggs, you don't see him in the papers."

Henderson also has his feet firmly on the ground and is adamant he will not get carried away with his rapid success. "Mum and dad, who used to be a policeman, have been a good influence on me."

"They have brought me up really well, they have always kept my feet on the ground and not let me get carried away. My mates have also been good with me since I left school. They used to go out but they would tell me not to which is a good thing.

"I didn't really go out much. In any case I had to be back by a certain time, like a curfew. I've never drank or smoked and a good night for me is like last night, watching the highlights of the win over Chelsea.

"Away from football, I like music and myself and Darren Bent and a few of the lads play table tennis at the academy," said Henderson, who also admits he was always destined to play for the Black Cats. "I played for Sunderland since I was seven. I was born in Sunderland, always went to the games."

"There was never a chance of going to Newcastle or Middlesbrough. My dad is a Sunderland fan, all my friends are Sunderland fans and I am a Sunderland fan. I got asked to go on a trial when I was seven and I have been with them ever since."

Henderson's form has inevitably led to speculation that Sunderland will eventually have to sell him, with Manchester United linked with a move.

"I don't think it has affected me. I don't think about it too much," he said, commenting on the rumours. "My best friend is a Manchester United fan, so he's going 'what's going on here, then?' But he's the only one who gives me a bit of banter about it. He probably wants me to join them. I don't know."