England agony

Southgate hints injured Justin was set for call-up

ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate has hinted that full-back James Justin may have been called up to the senior Three Lions squad in the upcoming internationals - if it wasn’t for injury.

The defender stepped into Ricardo Pereira’s boots for City at the start of the season, while the Portuguese international continued his recovery from an ACL injury.

Justin, pictured, took his chance with both hands, featuring in the leftback, right-back and central defensive roles in the first four months of the season.

He played every minute in the Premier League and was catching the eye of the England boss with his performances, leading to calls for him to be called up in the next international break.

However, Justin suffered a seasonending injury in the FA Cup fifth round victory over Brighton last month, with it being confirmed that he had ruptured his ACL.

The defender has since been joined by Harvey Barnes, who is out for at least six weeks with a knee injury after being taken off the pitch in Sunday’s defeat against Arsenal.

Barnes could though make it back to fitness in time to be selected in the European Championships final squad in the summer.

Talking of the injuries and selection dilemmas, Southgate confirmed that he has been following Justin’s progress.

“In some ways it’s taken out of your hands. Look at the squad for March, we’re already without Joe Gomez, Harvey Barnes and Jordan Henderson,” he told TalkSPORT Breakfast.

“James Justin we think has been doing exceptionally well at Leicester. He’s out.

“Then it’s a case of who is playing the best. Who has the pedigree and has played at a high level before, coupled with who is in form and who fits in with the way we want to play with and without the ball.”

Much of the debate over the squad selection is in the number 10 position, with James Maddison competing against the likes of Jack

Grealish, Mason Mount and Phil Foden for a place in the squad and team, something which Southgate describes as “hugely exciting”.

“Of course there’s a lot of talent in those attacking areas. What is really exciting is that for years we have talked about where are the creative players and how do we develop them,” he added.

“There’s raw talent and a different type of player coming through. That’s hugely exciting.”

Maddison is currently out of action with a hip injury, but Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that the midfielder is due to be back training on the grass by the end of the week.