Jarrad Branthwaite has been handed his first England Under-21 call-up.

The former Carlisle United defender has been named in the international squad for games against France and Croatia.

And Branthwaite is one of TWO Cumbrians in the 26-man squad, with goalkeeper James Trafford also getting his latest call-up.

Branthwaite’s selection by Under-21 boss Lee Carsley further underlines his impressive form for Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, where he is on a season-long loan from Everton.

It also gives the 20-year-old Wigton star the chance to stake his claim for involvement in this summer’s European Under-21 Championships.

The ex-Blues youth product has made strides in his highly promising career this season.

Branthwaite is enjoying a regular run of games under Ruud Van Nistelrooy at PSV, and his recent displays have put him in the sights of clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Roma.

He has played for England at Under-20 level but this is his first opportunity with the Under-21s, who take on France on Saturday, March 25 (5pm) and then Croatia on Tuesday, March 28 (7.45pm).

Trafford, who is currently on loan with Bolton Wanderers from Manchester City, has already represented the Under-21s.

The highly-rated former Carlisle academy keeper, from Greysouthen, will now hope to add to his caps when England take on France and Croatia.

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Trafford, also 20, has enjoyed an impressive season in League One for Bolton, for whom he has kept 21 clean sheets so far this season.

The France game is held at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium, with the Croatia friendly at Fulham’s Craven Cottage.

They are joined in the squad by players such as Arsenal's Emile Smith-Rowe, Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White and Liverpool duo Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones.

The two Cumbrians will be contenders to be involved in the 2023 UEFA U21 Euros which are staged in Romania and Georgia in June and July.

England’s group opponents are the Czech Republic, Germany and Israel.

The England Under-20 squad, meanwhile, includes striker Liam Delap, son of former Carlisle United star Rory.

Delap junior is on loan with Preston North End from Manchester City, and is in Ian Foster's squad for games against Germany, USA and France.