Now's the time to make Red Jar-RAID

THOSE on Merseyside are baffled by Jarrad Branthwaite's omission from the England squad.

- STEVEN RAILSTON

United defender Harry Maguire was ruled out of the squad through injury but Branthwaite has been overlooked while Lewis Dunk and Ezri Konsa have been selected.

"I think it is a bit early for Jarrad. He has had a fabulous season and it was good to get him on the other night," said Gareth Southgate about the decision.

"Of course, in an ideal world, you would like lots of left-footers. But, to put him ahead of the others, I don't think that would have been the right call at this stage." England will go to this summer's European Championship in Germany without Branthwaite, who established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League last season.

Branthwaite objectively had a better campaign than Dunk but it seems the Brighton captain has been given the nod because of his age and previous experience around squads. Dunk has just six England caps but Branthwaite made his debut for the Three Lions on Monday.

Evertonians are a proud bunch and they've expressed their dismay at the decision to omit Branthwaite, who they strongly believe should be on the plane to Germany this summer.