Gareth Southgate explains England start for Leicester City defender vs Hungary

England head coach Gareth Southgate has explained the reasons behind handing Leicester City defender James Justin a senior debut from the start for their Nations League group stage game against Hungary.

The 24-year-old lines up alongside former City teammate Harry Maguire as well as Conor Coady, Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold in what looks on paper like a back five from Southgate. Justin is one of two player's making their senior debut from the start, with West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen the other.

Saturday afternoon's match at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest is the first of four matches for the national team this month, meaning there may well be more opportunities for the Leicester player to impress mere months ahead of the World Cup later this year. Southgate is already confident that Justin can cut it at international level.

"We think that you can’t put everybody in at once," Southgate said pitchside to broadcasters Channel 4. "We’ve got great leadership with Maguire, Coady, Walker, so that gives good stability.

"Declan Rice is now an experienced international player and captain of his club and you can put others in. They can play at this level, there’s no doubt about that, but you want them to have comfort in playing for the team."