Bruce backs Lascelles to play for England – does he deserve it?

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has backed Jamaal Lascelles to make the next step and play for England at international level.

Bruce says that he has been impressed with Lascelles so far this season and that it is now down to Gareth Southgate to pick him for a squad.

Speaking to The Chronicle, Bruce said this:

I have been very, very pleased with him.

The next step is now Gareth Southgate. And Gareth is welcome to his opinion.

Jamaal just has to keep plodding away.

The good thing for him is that he is playing every week which can only help.

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Is Lascelles good enough to play for England?

If Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings is receiving a call-up, there is no reason as to why Lascelles cannot break into the squad.

Lascelles has been a reliable performer for Newcastle in the Premier League for a number of years, whilst Mings has been called up after playing just four times in the division for Villa – losing three of the games and conceding six goals in that time.

If he continues to perform for Newcastle in the top-flight, he will surely attract Southgate’s attention for an international squad later in the year.