Cumbrian stars called up to England squad

Cumbrians Jarrad Branthwaite and James Trafford have been called into the England squad.

The duo have stepped up from the Under-21s into the senior Three Lions squad.

Branthwaite and Trafford, both 22, have been drafted in by interim head coach Lee Carsley for UEFA Nations League games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.

It means there are three Cumbrians in the England squad, with Trafford's fellow goalkeeper Dean Henderson having been named in the original 26-man squad.

Branthwaite, who returned to the Everton side on Saturday, has one full England cap to his name while Burnley's Trafford, the regular Under-21s No1, has yet to be capped.

Wigton star Branthwaite and Greysouthen keeper Trafford, both of whom started at Carlisle United's academy, are joined by Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, Newcastle United's Tino Livramento and West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen in joining the squad.

It follows the withdrawal of eight players, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Cole Palmer, Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka all unavailable.

England, now with a 23-man squad, go to Greece on Thursday and then face the Republic of Ireland on Sunday.

Branthwaite and Trafford had originally been expected to face Spain and the Netherlands with Ben Futcher's Under-21s, where the squad also includes Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, the son of former Carlisle star Rory.

Dean Henderson is also in the England squad (Image: PA)

Trafford and Henderson's inclusion means all three of England's goalkeepers have Carlisle United connections, Henderson having also come through the Blues' academy and regular No1 Jordan Pickford a former Carlisle loan player.

Trafford's call-up sees him take the place of Southampton keeper Ramsdale, who has a suspected fractured finger.

Branthwaite, who won his first full England cap against Bosnia & Herzegovina in the summer, is a fresh defensive option for Carsley given Chelsea man Colwill's withdrawal.

Henderson, meanwhile, has two Three Lions caps, the Whitehaven-born keeper starting in the 3-1 win against Finland during the last international break.

The trio are in the last England squad before new head coach Thomas Tuchel takes charge in January.