Trent Alexander-Arnold has been recalled to England’s squad for Euro 2020.
Alexander-Arnold made Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man list for this summer’s Finals after being left out of March’s World Cup qualifiers.
The Liverpool defender’s resurgent form since that omission sees him vying with three other right-backs to make the Three Lions’ final selection of 26.
But Southgate insists that Alexander-Arnold, 22, remains in firm contention alongside the likes of Kieran Trippier, Reece James and Kyle Walker.
He said: “Everyone sees these as four right-backs but there’s a lot more to all of those players.
“We need versatility, we need competition for places and we are still unclear on certain injuries. Trent is very much in contention.
“People think I don’t think Trent is a good footballer. That just isn’t the case.
“He has indirectly come in for some criticism and I felt the need to communicate more with him than anyone else over the past couple of months.
“But I think his performances have been very good.
“I’m a little bit surprised by some of the things that have been written because people just don’t know those communications that have gone on.
“But that is credit to Trent that he has kept that to himself.”