Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite set for England blow as Newcastle United injury news emerges
Everton certainly haven’t been at their best this season, with the Toffees struggling at the bottom end of the Premier League table.
But there have been some standout moments, and indeed some standout players, namely young defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
Having spent last season learning his trade on loan at PSV, the central defender is now back at Goodison Park, and is a regular under Sean Dyche.
He has formed a strong partnership alongside James Tarkowski, with Jordan Pickford also impressing directly behind them.
But is the young centre-back who is dominating much of the positive headlines at Goodison, with his displays potentially resulting in a first England call-up later this month.
As per the Daily Mail (5 March), Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate has been watching Branthwaite closely, and may name him in his squad for the upcoming friendlies with Brazil and Belgium.
But the newspaper added that Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is also in contention to make the squad for the matches at the end of March.
The manager may just have to choose between the two, with that decision now potentially being impacted by another defender in Newcastle United ace Kieran Trippier.
Will Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite be handed a first England call-up this month?
As per BBC Sport, Magpies boss Eddie Howe has confirmed the right-back will miss the next two club matches, and is therefore very unlikely to make the England squad.
His expected absence will open up a space, with either Branthwaite or Gomez potentially filling that gap. If that is the case, it will undoubtedly be the latter that Southgate will call upon given his ability to play at right-back, as well as centre-back.
While Branthwaite has shone for the Toffees, he is very much a central defender, with his lack of versatility perhaps set to go against him on the international stage.
In other Everton news, Chris Sutton has predicted the scoreline of the upcoming meeting between the Toffees and Manchester United, with a “woeful” claim made.
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