Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has given a huge vote of confidence to Villans midfielder Ashley Westwood, backing the playmaker to earn an England call-up this season.
Westwood, who has started both of Villa's first two Premier League games, has been a crucial part of the midfield at Villa Park since signing from Crewe Alexandra in 2011, and his manager has now backed him to reach even bigger heights.
An England future?
Sherwood, who has been working with Westwood since taking over from Paul Lambert in February, said that he would be "surprised", if the player was not to get a call up to Roy Hodgson's national side before the end of the season.
Comparing him to a Manchester United player, Sherwood explained that he believed Westwood to be "in the Michael Carrick mould" and that he "was not sure" if they had anyone other than Westwood to fill in for the ageing Carrick.
It had been thought that the midfielder may struggle to get into Villa's team this season, after Sherwood strengthened his squad significantly with new signings over the summer.
Jordan Veretout and Idrissa Gueye were both brought in to compete for a place in the middle of the park, however they've both slotted in alongside Westwood, with the three completing a midfield trio in the club's opening games against Manchester United and Bournemouth.
Consistency
Clearly impressed by Westwood's ability to dictate a game, his manager told that he had been the "most consistent" performer during his time at the club, and that if he can maintain it then a national call up "won't be too far around the corner".
Many Premier League managers often complain about their players getting called away for international duty, worried about injury or fatigue hitting their stars. Sherwood however, is clearly supportive of his players representing their country, adding that it would be "great news for all of us", should Westwood get a call up.