One of the most respected voices in Colombian football has called for Jose Izquierdo to start in the World Cup.

Former international Jorge Bermudez, now a top analyst on television, says the Albion winger can help give Los Cafeteros more cutting edge against Japan on Tuesday.

Head coach Jose Pekerman could go 4-3-3, which Bermudez believes would count against Izquierdo.

But a 4-2-3-1 set-up could give the Seagulls flyer the green light.

That would enable star man James Rodriguez to operate in a No.10 role off Monaco striker Rademel Falcao.

Carlos Sánchez, of Spanish side Espanyol, has yet to score in his 85 international appearances and is likely to be the steadying centrepiece of midfield.

But who plays alongside him could be pivotal for Izquierdo’s hopes. Bermudez, the 56-times capped former Benfica and Boca Juniors centre-back, explained his thinking to viewers of ESPN Colombia.

He said: “I’d like to see Izquierdo play and I say that in all sincerity. But it depends on what scheme Pekerman is planning.

"If he plays three in midfield, if he puts (Abel) Aguilar with Mateus Uribe and Sanchez, that ends the Izquierdo option, simple as that.

"If he plays three in midfield, up front you’ll have (Juan) Cuadrado, you’ll have James, you’ll have Falcao. I want to find a way for Izquierdo to play.

"If he plays you’ll only have one in midfield alongside Sanchez. That one would be Aguilar or Uribe.

"But I'd celebrate if that happened because James would play just behind Falcao and we’d have a lot more attacking presence."