EXCLUSIVE
England have been told that Jarrad Branthwaite deserves more game-time as Gareth Southgate looks to juggle a defensive injury crisis.
Everton star Branthwaite has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best defenders this season but is still waiting on his senior Three Lions debut.
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The 21-year-old, who is wanted by both Manchester United and Real Madrid, received his first senior call-up for this month's friendlies.
However, he was an unused substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Brazil, despite three of Southgate's six changes being central defenders.
England conceded a record seven big chances against Selecao - the most the country have ever faced in a game under Southgate.
And the Three Lions' defensive injury woes were further compounded by the double blow of Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire leaving the camp.
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Their absence has opened the door for Branthwaite to make his bow at Wembley against Belgium on Tuesday, live on talkSPORT.
“He’ll play Branthwaite tomorrow night, there’s no question about that,” Jeff Stelling said on talkSPORT Breakfast.
Ally McCoist noted: “He’s got to, he’s got to - Branthwaite has been excellent.”
McCoist later named the six-cap England U21 international as the one Three Lions star deserving of more game-time.
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He added: "I go for Jarrad Branthwaite.
"I think he's had an excellent season at Everton, certainly I've gone on record as saying England defensively probably aren't as strong as where they would want to be.
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"I go with [John] Stones and Maguire, two full-backs, it's Walker, [Ben] Chilwell, [Luke] Shaw a lot.
"They've got some excellent players, but I just think defensively against your Brazil's, against your [Kylian] Mbappe's and your [Antoine] Griezmann's and boys like that, they'll get seriously tested.
"I'm not saying they won't handle it, but I just think I'd like to see Branthwaite get an opportunity and hopefully he will on Tuesday.
"He'd be the one player."
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talkSPORT revealed recently that Everton face having to sell Branthwaite this summer to avoid running into further financial issues.
Branthwaite, who joined the Toffees from hometown club Carlisle as a teenager, would generate huge profits for Sean Dyche's side.
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The 6ft 5ins centre-back is high on Man United’s minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s summer shopping list.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, who managed Branthwaite during his time in charge at Goodison Park, is also a big admirer along with Arsenal and Newcastle.