LEWIS DUNK is destined to play for England - but he may have to wait until after the World Cup.

That is the fear of former Albion centre-half Adam Virgo. He believes Dunk should already have been selected by Gareth Southgate.

The Three Lions boss names his squad tomorrow for friendlies against Holland in Amsterdam and Italy at Wembley later this month.

Albion are waiting to find out whether Dunk or in-form striker Glenn Murray are involved ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United at Old Trafford (7.45pm).

Virgo told The Argus: “I don’t know if you get overlooked by England sometimes because of the club you play for.

“I’ve heard a lot of top pundits who have sung Lewis’s praises this season and I am surprised that he hasn’t had a call-up.

“I think he should have. It’s an area that England have really struggled with. Cahill hasn’t been great, Jones and Smalling have been indifferent for Manchester United.

“There are more reasons for him to have been called up than not. He definitely should have been by now.

“Why he hasn’t only Gareth knows the answer. His lack of experience in the Premier League may be one thing, but I think international football may suit him.

“He has got decent pace and if he moved onto a so-called bigger club it would be interesting to see how quickly he got picked.

“You look at Lingard and Delph, players like that. There was a time when Delph got called up and he had hardly played a game.

“Whether a World Cup year has hindered him as well and Gareth thinks he may not be ready for a World Cup squad.

“I’d be interested in Gareth’s answer as to why he hasn’t been picked. I think it’s either the size of the club or it’s a World Cup year and he is going with players that he knows.

“But if he’s not an international by the start of the World Cup I’d be amazed if he is not one next year.”