Last season Ryan Bertrand forced his way back into the England squad, now as he returns to training after injury, could this be timely in terms of his hope of being in the squad for Euro 2016.

Ryan Bertrand was perhaps the best left back in the Premier League last season, certainly his fellow professionals thought so when they voted him into the PFA team of the year, however in the thoughts of England manager Roy Hodgson he seemed to be third choice at best behind Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw.

But with the unfortunate injury to Luke Shaw this week and his double fracture of the leg likely to keep him out for at least six months meaning that he will be unlikely to return to Premier League action much before April 2016 and it being confirmed that Leighton Baines will be out after an ankle operation until the New Year, Bertrand's return to training this week will be good news for both the player himself's ambitions for next summer and of course the England side itself.

If Bertrand can get himself back to the form he showed last year upon his return to first team action with Saints then he has a good chance of being the first choice for England next summer at left back, Shaw will have had little game time by the time the Euro's start and might not be 100% ready fitness wise after so long out, not to mention finding his form.

Likewise Leighton Baines, the Everton man is no spring chicken, he will have turned 31 by the time he returns to action and he again although he will have more time than Shaw to get fit may struggle to find the levels of fitness and form than he has previously attained as age catches up with him.

Bertrand's two rivals last season for that third choice spot where Spurs Danny Rose & Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs, but both have been out of sorts at their clubs so far this year.

This means that if Bertrand can get back to fitness although it may come a little too soon for October's internationals when Roy Hodgson may have to call on Gibbs and Rose for the fixtures in October, he may be able to get back into the squad for the friendlies against Spain & France in November.

So Bertrand now has a great opportunity to cement a place on the plane for Euro 2016 and it can only benefit Saints if he takes it with both hands.

Photo: Action Images

bstokesaint added 12:47 - Sep 18 I find it hard to give a cr&p about England these days. There was a time when it would have killed me to say this, but the current state of the national game is a joke. The clown in charge of the team, the constant media frenzy and the bunch of dislikeable chumps that wear the shirt just ruin it for me. I wish Ryan all the best though, as I'm sure it means al lot to him and his family. He deserves a chance and without wanting to sound too biased has always acted with integrity in light of Roy's recent snubs. Just moving from Chelsea to Saints to me proved he is someone who wants to play football. He just gets on and does it.

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JDawg added 14:41 - Sep 18 He might get a couple of run outs in a friendly but Gibbs and Rose will always be above him because of who they play for. Although Woy insists he doesn't care which team someone plays for it's blatantly rubbish. Clyne couldn't get a game for love nor money last season. He moves to Liverhampton and all of a sudden he's first choice RB. I agree with bstokesaint the National team is a joke.

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Hugh_Jarce added 20:59 - Sep 18 He's good enough and with Luke out he must be in the box seat
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aceofthebase added 09:11 - Sep 19 bstokesaint wash your mouth out! I can understand you preferring to watch premiership teams but to abandon your National side with cr@p statements is deplorable.
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wazzosan added 10:27 - Sep 19 Sadly i have to agree with bstokesaint. I have found it harder and harder to watch England recently. It doesnt help that Woy's brand of football is awful to watch. I dont think ive forgiven him for the terrible showing in the world cup. It hasnt helped that Saints are playing some ofnthe best football of my lifetime, so internationals are just opportunites for our players to get injured. Add to that the fact that i live in a timezone that makes watching England a challenge.

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