Leicester City defender told he has 'great advantage' over England squad rivals

Leicester City defender James Justin has a "great advantage" and "an opportunity" to grasp by being able to play in multiple positions across the backline for England, according to Michael Owen.

Head coach Gareth Southgate started the 24-year-old at left wing-back for England 's first Nations League match of the year in Hungary in the absence of former City left-back Ben Chilwell and Manchester United 's Luke Shaw through injury. Justin is the only recognised left-sided defender in the 27-man squad, though Newcastle United full-back Kieran Trippier has been deployed there before for the national team.

For Brendan Rodgers ' side, the defender started on the left seven times this season, including in both legs of the Europa Conference League semi-final defeat to Roma, as opposed to 11 outings on the right. This versatility could play into the player's hands as far as making this year's World Cup squad is concerned.

Owen agrees. "If you can play both sides, then it’s a great advantage," the Channel 4 pundit said during their pre-match coverage. "If Gareth Southgate was asking what do you prefer, I’d be saying I prefer the left.

"The right-back, right wing-back is the strongest area in this England team, but left-back, there’s an opportunity. There is great players like Shaw, Chilwell, but (if) they get injured, lack of form, there could be an opportunity if he grasps it."