Bertrand ready for England battle

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand has said that he is ready to take his opportunity and become England’s first choice.

The left-back spot for England has been a tricky one to fill for England in recent times. Since Ashley Cole retired from international duty over a year ago, no one has been able to nail it down as theirs.

It looked for a period of time as if Everton’s Leighton Baines would make the position his own, however, constant injury problems has restricted him and he is still currently sidelined for club and country.

Luke Shaw came in and had been very impressive for England and it seemed as though they had found their man. Then, playing for Manchester United in the Champions League, Luke Shaw suffered a double fracture in his right leg. This has him ruled out until at least next year and there is a possibility that he may not make the European Championships next summer.

This leaves Ryan Bertrand, who, in recent months, has had his own injury problems. Bertrand comes into this weeks qualifiers as the most likely player to start at left-back for England. Yet, he has only featured in a few games since returning from injury against MK Dons for Southampton just a couple of weeks prior to today.

Bertrand however, feels like he can make the left side of defence his own and get a starting berth in the England set-up:

“It is up for grabs,”

“Even with everyone fit, to be honest, no-one’s nailed it down. It’s not that now people have got a chance because certain people are injured. Everyone was in contention at the start.

“It’s about who really goes in there and grabs it by the scruff of the neck and make it their own. Hopefully it can be me.

“It’s a good start to be called up. Hopefully I can go in, concentrate on my football and let it takes it course.”

“It’s always a pleasure to be called up for your country,” said Bertrand. “It’s on everyone’s minds, especially with the Euros coming up.

“Everyone will be going there vying for a place and looking to cement their place for the summer.”

“It’s good to be back,” said Bertrand. “I can’t go rushing up and down like a madman just yet, but as each game goes by I get fitter and fitter and hopefully I’ll soon get back up to where I was last year and crack on from there.”

England face Estonia next and Bertrand will hope that he is wearing that no.3 shirt come kick off.