Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand has admitted that he is looking to make the most of his opportunity with England.

The 26-year-old has been drafted into the side, with Manchester United's Luke Shaw sidelined for several months with a broken leg, and started in Friday evening's Euro 2016 qualifying win over Estonia at Wembley.

Bertrand hopes that the competition for the left-back slot is bringing out the best in him.

"There are a few of us in there: myself, Luke (shaw), Leighton (Baines), (Kieran) Gibbs, even (Danny) Rose and Aaron Cresswell at West Ham," he told the Southern Daily Echo. "There are a lot of us vying for that place.

"It's about putting in consistency and when we get the chance, we take it. I think, first and foremost, when you get here, you do want to perform well.

"But also the position is one that, at club level, is about establishing that consistency within the Premier League and then hopefully those performances are recognised."

Bertrand, who has five international caps so far, could start in England's final qualifier against Lithuania this evening.

Written by
Steven Toplis