Ry not gone for Bert-on

MARK HUGHES is refusing to accept England boss Gareth Southgate has dumped Ryan Bertrand for good.

Saints left-back Bertrand was the shock omission from the Three Lions’ World Cup squad last summer – and so far this season has been unable to force his way back into the set-up.

Bertrand, 29 (below, left) was not picked for the recent England home games against Spain and Switzerland.

And three days ago his name was again missing from the 25-man Three Lions squad to face Croatia and Spain.

Yet Southampton boss Hughes is convinced Bertrand has not been axed on a permanent basis.

And he is adamant the Saints ace remains totally committed to his country – and hell bent on winning a recall by producing consistent displays on the south coast.

That continues today at St Mary’s against unbeaten Chelsea – a former club, of course, of both Bertrand and Hughes.

Sparky (below right) said: “It’s always the way when you’re facing one of your old clubs that there’s that little extra incentive to do well.

“Ryan has a history with Chelsea. He won the Champions League with them so he will want to prove to people that he is still around.

“Your want to test yourself against the very best and Chelsea have the quality to test Ryan.

‘’I’m sure he will take that opportunity to show what a good player he is still. The fact is he’s still available for England.

“He hasn’t closed the door on them and he’d like to be considered again.

“At the moment it doesn’t seem like he is too close to a place in the squad – but if he keeps playing well here, you hope his performances do the talking for him.

“I have no doubt he is still very much in frame, although Gareth seems to want to promote younger players for now. You can understand that after he had a very good World Cup.

“But if Ryan plays well then, like any other player, you’d still expect him to be in the thinking of the national manager.”

Silencing Chelsea’s Eden Hazard this afternoon would be a timely reminder of the qualities that earned Bertrand

19 caps before his World Cup heartache.

Hughes, who made Bertrand his captain in the summer, has nothing but praise for how he has handled that new role.

The exChelsea and Man

United hitman said:

“He’s having an effect and growing into the captain role. He’s improving and giving us good energy and leadership

– both on and off the pitch. We are pleased where he’s at right now.”