Ryan Bertrand has taken a big step in being considered the heir apparent to the left back spot in the full England team.

Saints have two players in the England squad to take on the Republic Of Ireland and Slovenia in June, however there is no place for Luke Shaw in the squad nor in the U21 squad for the upcoming U21 Championships.

This raises questions as whether Shaw will now be regarded as an automatic choice in the squad for future Internationals, Manchester United declaring him unfit for selection due to concussion suffered nearly two weeks ago and claiming he would not be match fit on his return.

Concussion is usually an injury that clears in about a week so there is a suspicion that United are putting club before country in this case and that won't help Shaw's hopes to be an England regular, certainly a year ago he was a certainty for the World Cup squad in Brazil after playing virtually every game for Saints in the previous 20 months with barely an injury.

But Shaw's loss is Bertrand's gain and after being voted into the PFA's team by his fellow professionals, Bertrand will be keen to stake his claim to the spot esecially since leighton Baines is also out of the squad with ankle surgery.

Also in is Nathaniel Clyne who will look to establish himself as first choice at right back under Roy Hodgson.

Sadly missing is Fraser Forster who would have been sure to have been selected.

Former Saint Adam Lallana is in the squad, but like Shaw is a lot farther from being first choice than he was a year ago, likewise Rickie Lambert whose move to Liverpool and lack of games and goals has seen him dropped from the squad as the likes of Harry Kane and Charlie Austin have usurped him

Photo: Action Images

Whatsforpud added 00:00 - May 22 Who is CYNE!!
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BoondockSaint added 04:19 - May 22 Slightly off topic-Here's the link for the Men In Blazers special podcast with Ralph Krueger just put up today: http://meninblazers.com/page/podcasts
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LostBoys added 05:38 - May 22 I am not keen on taking pleasure in ex Saints not doing very well but it is clear that the Liverpool trio and 'fat boy' as Shaw is now known on the Manure fanzines have really gone backwards fast with their football careers. The counter is that they are much richer than they were.
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