Former Carlisle United man Jarrad Branthwaite has revealed how he nearly didn't make it at his boyhood club, as he prepares to feature at the U21 European Championships.

The 20-year-old earned a call-up to Lee Carsley's squad for the tournament in Georgia and Romania this summer, where England will face the Czech Republic, Israel and Germany later this month. 

Branthwaite caught the eye in his 14 appearances for Carlisle's first team after breaking through the academy, which saw him earn a £1m transfer to Premier League side Everton in January 2020. 

Following a season that saw the centre-back play a significant role in PSV Eindhoven's Champions League qualification, he was almost a nailed-on selection for Carsley's England squad this summer. 

However, the six-foot-five defender has now revealed how he was six weeks away from failing to make the grade at Carlisle, with the support of his father Paul making a big difference in his eventual success.

He said: "When I was at Carlisle at 16, it was a scholarship and they said to me that I had six weeks to prove that I wanted to get a professional contract.

"I went through a stage where I was like ‘do I really want to do it?’ And he said ‘yeah, come on, you have to do it’. So I think he’s influenced me to get to where I am today.

"I would probably say I was close to giving up. They said they didn’t think I had it in me to get a professional contract so they gave me six weeks.

"My dad Paul gave me a training programme to do and after the six weeks, I got given a contract. The programme was just to work on my fitness and things and strength to give myself the best chance to get that contract.

"It was back at home in the gym and stuff to make sure that if I looked back and had regrets, it would kick me, you know? So it was to make sure I gave my all and even if I didn’t get it, I could say I tried my best.

"I told him thanks for it. It’ll be a proud moment for him if I play for England here at a major tournament."