England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley has hailed the contribution of his two Cumbrians en route to the European Championships quarter-finals.

Goalkeeper James Trafford has kept three consecutive clean sheets as the young Lions topped their group.

And defender Jarrad Branthwaite came into the side and helped keep Germany at bay as England recorded their third straight 2-0 win on Wednesday.

They will take on Portugal in the last eight on Sunday.

Carsley is delighted with his side’s unbroken defensive record so far.

He said: “We talk about the whole team defending, as opposed to just the defence.

“I thought Levi [Colwill] and Taylor [Harwood-Bellis] as well as Jarrad [Branthwaite] and Charlie [Cresswell] have done outstandingly at centre-back, and obviously James [Trafford) in goal.

“As a whole, we’ve defended really well from full-back areas, with midfielders and forwards.

“It was really pleasing to see, right at the end of the game, players making blocks on the edge of the box and blocking crosses.”

Former Carlisle United defender Branthwaite, from Wigton, made his Under-21 debut against the Germans and produced a solid display.

Greysouthen keeper Trafford, of Manchester City, meanwhile underlined his growing reputation with further impressive saves to keep out the reigning champions.

Quarter-final opponents Portugal finished second in Group A after a win, a draw and a defeat in the tournament in Romania and Georgia.

Should England get past them on Sunday, they will face a semi-final against Georgia or Israel.

Spain, Switzerland, France and Ukraine are then potential final opponents for Carsley’s side.