England boss Gareth Southgate is weighing up a possible call-up for Cumbrian star Jarrad Branthwaite, according to reports.

Everton's former Carlisle United defender has impressed in the Premier League this seasno.

And the 21-year-old appears closer than ever to a senior international call-up.

MailOnline report that Branthwaite is "being considered as a solution to England’s defensive crisis" for the Wembley friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

Southgate names his squad next Thursday, and is set to be without a number of defenders such as Luke Shaw, Marc Guehi, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James, with Harry Maguire and Kieran Trippier also not certain to be fit.

Branthwaite has captained England's Under-21s this season and the Wigton star has been tipped in many quarters for a senior call-up.

Goalscoring legend Ian Wright was the latest top name last week to urge Southgate to include the young Cumbrian in his squad.

Should Branthwaite make the cut it could give the defender the chance to impress ahead of this summer's European Championships in Germany.

The Cumbrian is still rated an outsider to play in the Euros but his odds of making the England squad for the tournament have shortened in recent months.

He is now 7/4 with Sporting Index and SpreadEx to be included in Southgate's squad for the championships.

Branthwaite, who joined Everton from Carlisle in January 2020, has made 30 appearances and scored twice for the Toffees this campaign.

England face Brazil on March 23 and Belgium on March 26.