Djed Spence's stock continues to rise after the Nottingham Forest defender was called up to the England under-21 squad for the first time today.
Spence and fellow Reds loanee James Garner are in the squad for under-21 qualifiers against Andorra and Albania during the international break. The 21-year old, who is on a season-long loan from Middlesbrough, will get another chance to impress when Forest take on Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday. Spence will not face off with Trent Alexander-Arnold after the Liverpool right-back was ruled out with a hamstring injury, but he will hope to catch the eye against a third Premier League side in the Cup run.
Liverpool assistant academy director Nick Marshall worked with Alexander-Arnold as he came through the ranks at Anfield. Speaking on the latest Garibaldi Red podcast., former Forest academy boss Marshall said Spence has the raw ingredients to play at the 'very highest level'.
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"He's been a revelation. Middlesbrough had problems with his attitude or behaviour, or whatever it was. Loaning him to Forest has been a masterstroke from their perspective as well," he said.
"Steve Cooper's very good at getting the best out of young players. He looks some kind of prospect. I've read things about him being around England squads.
"There's some pretty good competition there in that attacking right-back spot, as we can attest to. It's just a shame that it's looking like you'll lose him come the end of the season. I've not watched him loads, but he certainly seems to have the attributes to play at the very highest level.
"There's no doubt about that. Athletically he's very good. The modern full-back has to be good going forwards and you won't get a better example than the QPR game.
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"He's contributing to quite a few goals. He looks like he's got all the attributes to get there. England are blessed because Reece James is an outstanding young right-back as well.
"He looks to have the basic ingredients required but we'll only find out when he plays top opposition every week. For this stage of his development, he looks some prospect."
