England manager Gareth Southgate is reportedly considering calling up Burnley's James Tarkowski for the upcoming friendlies against Holland and Italy.
The Three Lions boss sees the Clarets centre-back as a potential solution to his growing defensive crisis, according to The Telegraph.
England mainstay Gary Cahill has been out of favour at Chelsea this term, while Manchester United's Phil Jones is injured and Joe Gomez has not started a Liverpool match in more than a month.
Southgate was at Turf Moor last weekend to watch Tarkowski and his teammate, goalkeeper Nick Pope, in action against Everton, a match they won 2-1.
Discussing his chances of breaking into England's World Cup squad, Tarkowski is quoted as saying: "Everyone wants to get to a World Cup so it would be a good time to break in to the squad. I'm not too worried about it, I'm happy enough here playing football week in week out.
"If it comes then obviously I would be delighted to represent my country, but I'm just happy to be back out there playing football again.
"It's out of your control now, there's nothing you can do. All you can do is do what you do for your club. You've just got to focus on your own job and if he decides to call you up for the squad then so be it."
Tarkowski has made 45 appearances for Burnley since joining the club from Brentford in 2016.
Mark Langshaw
