EVERTON’S BRANTHWAITE EARNS FIRST ENGLAND CALL-UP.

Jarrad Branthwaite has received his first senior England call-up, joining the team for the Three Lions’ upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

The 21-year-old, a member of the England Under-21s group that won the European Championships last summer, has been included to Gareth Southgate’s squad alongside Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The news was made on Thursday at 2 p.m., with the duo scheduled to meet with the rest of the squad next week ahead of the two games later this month.

The call-up comes in honour of Branthwaite’s outstanding performance for the Toffees this season. He’s been an assured and commanding presence in Sean Dyche’s defence this season, with only James Tarkowski and James Garner playing more outfield minutes for Everton than the Carlisle native.

Pickford, meanwhile, is poised to add to his 58 senior England caps.

The Three Lions will host Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, March 23 (7pm GMT), before facing Belgium three days later on Tuesday, March 26 (7.45pm GMT).

The two games are England’s final two friendly matches before Gareth Southgate announces his provisional team for this summer’s EURO 2024 competition, which begins in June.