Dean Henderson has spoken of his pride after making his first start for England.

The west Cumbrian goalkeeper won his second cap in the Three Lions' 3-1 victory over Finland on Sunday evening.

Interim boss Lee Carsley promoted the Whitehaven star to the starting XI for the Nations League game in Helsinki.

It was Henderson's second England outing, his previous appearance coming as a substitute against the Republic of Ireland in 2020.

It proved a successful night for the 27-year-old as he helped England to a comfortable victory, with goals from Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice coming before Finland's Arttu Hoskonen fired a late consolation past Henderson.

Henderson's England appearances were separated by 1,431 days and the Crystal Palace No1 said: "It just shows - never give up.

"When you go through tough times, just keep going, because you can always come back.

"I'm delighted, it took a lot of hard work to get back in the mix and I've just got to keep it going."

Posting on Instagram, the former Carlisle United academy keeper, who started out at Whitehaven Miners Social, added that he was "honoured to start my first game for my country."

Henderson warming up ahead of the Finland gameHenderson warming up ahead of the Finland game (Image: PA)

Speaking before the game, Carsley explained why Henderson was given his opportunity in place of regular England no1 Jordan Pickford.

“We are looking for a reaction, we fell below the levels we expect [against Greece]," Carsley told ITV.

“There was a case of getting a look at a few other players and we were always going to look at Dean Henderson in one of these games.”

The Cumberland Football Association are among those to salute Henderson on his landmark start.

"Cumberland Football is so proud of former Whitehaven Miners Social player Dean Henderson on his first start for England," they said.

Henderson has been in Carsley's first two England squads after his impressive form for Palace in the Premier League.

Before the game, meanwhile, Henderson took part in a minute's silence in memory of his former Sheffield United team-mate George Baldock, who tragically died this week aged 31.