Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster and defender Ryan Bertrand have both been named in the latest England squad, which was announced this morning. The 23 players will play in two friendlies at the end of the month, against the Netherlands and Germany.

The call for Forster comes after his brilliant return to the side from injury, which has seen him keep six clean sheets in succession.

As for Bertrand, he has also been a key performer for the Saints. His contributions in both a left back position and as a central defender have helped keep these clean sheets, with him having really grown into his role at the club this season.

23-man squad named

Roy Hodgson named his squad this morning and has included the uncapped Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater, who has been nothing short of superb for the Foxes this season in their rise up the division.

Forster's call comes with just as little surprise as, before he was sidelined for nine months, he was a regular name in the squad. Although he is still behind Joe Hart for the number one shirt, he is really pushing him all the way ahead of this summer’s Euros in France.

Bertrand has had seven caps to date and he looks set to be given further chances of a starting spot in the Euros, even though it is looking likely that former-Saint Luke Shaw will return in time to add further competition to the left-back position.

Could Bertrand nail down the left-back berth for his country? (Photo: Sky Sports)
Could Bertrand nail down the left-back berth for his country? (Photo: Sky Sports)

Schedule

England will first come up against Germany at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Saturday 26 March. They will then go on to face the Netherlands, whose side will include Saints duo Jordy Clasie and Virgil Van Dijk, at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday 29 March.

These will be England's final matches before the end of the regular season. They will then play three friendlies prior to the start of the Euros, with Australia, Turkey and Portugal to be their opposition.

Their first match at the Euros will be against Russia on June 11.

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About the author
Tom  Mason
Im 18 years old and a studying media. Write for the Southampton, Cricket and Tennis sections. Am an sports writer and have been writing for Vavel since August 2015 Twitter: @tom_mason18