Cumbrian goalkeeper Dean Henderson has spoken of his ambition to make a late run for England’s Euro 2024 squad.
The Crystal Palace No1 is enjoying some good form in the Premier League after a tough year.
And the Whitehaven star hopes he can cap his resurgence with a call-up by Gareth Southgate.
Henderson impressed in Palace’s 1-0 win at Liverpool last weekend and his England prospects could be boosted by injuries to Sam Johnstone and Nick Pope.
Asked if he hoped to get another call-up, he said: “Why not? When I was fit in the past, I’ve always been in the England set-up — you don’t become a bad keeper overnight.
“Sometimes you need a block of work to get back to your best. Obviously, I’ve got a block of work in there now, and I’m starting to get back to my best.”
Henderson said he had been “to hell and back” over the last 11 months after repeated injuries.
He then had a spell as second-choice at Palace to Johnstone until the latter’s injury reopened the door for the ex-Carlisle United academy player.
“I’m happy now I’m back playing. That’s a big tick. I’d love to go [to the Euros] in any capacity,” the 27-year-old added.
“I’ll go and save shots, try and save penalties, help England out in any way. I’ll get the nod hopefully.”
Jordan Pickford is likely to remain as England’s No1 for the tournament in Germany, with Aaron Ramsdale second choice.
But the third-choice position is up for grabs, with Johnstone pulling out of the Three Lions squad last month through injury – leading to a first call-up for Henderson’s fellow Cumbrian James Trafford, the regular Under-21s No1 from Greysouthen.
It is expected that Southgate will announce a preliminary training squad on May 21, with a final 23-man squad to be confirmed by June 8, after friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland.
SkyBet make Henderson 2/1 to make the Euros squad, with Trafford 4/1. Newcastle's Pope, currently out with a shoulder injury, is 8/11, behind Ramsdale (1/5) and Pickford (1/20).
Another Cumbrian hoping for a call-up will be Jarrad Branthwaite, after he was included in the senior Three Lions squad for the first time last month. He is priced 4/9 to make the final cut.
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