Gareth Southgate says Jarrad Branthwaite is in the England squad on merit – and is a reward for his Premier League consistency.

The 21-year-old Cumbrian was today named in the Three Lions squad for the first time for games against Brazil and Belgium.

Everton’s former Carlisle United defender, who is from Wigton, could now get his chance for the national side ahead of this summer’s European Championships.

His call-up comes amid an impressive top-flight season and England boss Southgate says Branthwaite’s progress has been eyecatching.

“He’s played consistently well,” said Southgate at a press conference where he announced the squad.

“We watched him as a back up centre-half in the Under-21 [European] finals last year, and if you’d said to me he would play as consistently well at Premier League level as he has, I’d have questioned that last summer.

“Great credit to him and to Sean [Dyche, the Everton manager]. He’s given a young centre-half the opportunity.

“He’s good with the ball, shows good composure and mentality, and he’s a left-footer, and we don’t have many left-footed defenders.

“He’s in on merit and we are really keen to work with him and find out a bit more about him.”