Ryan Bertrand: 'England place is not a given, I need to keep working for it'

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 16 November 2015

Southampton full-back Ryan Bertrand insists that his England place is not a "given" and will continue to work hard to prove that he deserves a spot in the team.

Southampton full-back Ryan Bertrand has insisted that he will not take his England place for granted.

The 26-year-old has made his way back into Roy Hodgson's squad following injuries to Leighton Baines, Luke Shaw, Kieran Gibbs and Danny Rose, all of whom were above Bertrand in the pecking order.

The Southampton player started in Friday's 2-0 defeat to Spain, and is expected to be in the first XI for Tuesday's friendly against France at Wembley.

"I just want to continue and concentrate on each game, each friendly game," Sky Sports News quotes Bertrand as saying.

"We've got big tests coming again on Tuesday and again with the following friendlies coming up. It is important that we keep consistent as a team, in my performances too.

"Obviously certain things have happened and you can't take anything for granted, really. You need to still work, nothing is a given."

Bertrand signed a permanent deal with Southampton earlier this year after spending a loan spell at St Mary's from Chelsea.