Former Brighton defender Gary Stevens believes Ben White’s versatility could both help and hinder his chances of playing for England at the Euros.

The 23-year-old was called into the England squad to replace Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who withdrew through injury.

White got the nod over fellow defender Ben Godfrey, who was also on the standby list.

That could be due to his ability to play in a number of different positions.

He has played at right back, right wing back, centre back, and also in defensive midfield for Albion this season.

Last season when he was on loan at Leeds, he played at both centre back and in defensive midfield for Marcelo Bielsa when Kalvin Phillips was missing.

But Stevens, who worked his way into the England set-up due to his ability to play in many different positions, believes White’s versatility could end up working against him.

He told The Argus: “Well basically it got me in the England squad and it got me my England caps because I could play in different positions, so it could be hugely valuable.

“I know Bobby Robson really valued me because I was somebody he had on the bench, who he could slot into a number of different positions if he had to.

“I am not for one minute comparing myself with Ben because I think he is going to be a better player than I ever was, to be honest with you.

“I think it will stand him in good stead, but it can also work against him because I was Bobby Robson's first substitute, I was on the bench and not always starting.

“I played seven times for England but only started once and when I made my debut I came off the bench as a sub to play at right back.

He added: “When I came on for England in the World Cup finals in Mexico it was because we were down to ten men.

"We had sacrificed the striker and I played in midfield because I was athletic enough and could do a really defensive job in there.

“Then the next time I came on in the World Cup I replaced Peter Reid in midfield, as more of an attacking midfielder and set up one of Gary Lineker’s goals.

“So, my experience says that being versatile can be a real asset and it can be hugely valuable to the head coach.”

White re-entered England’s bubble at St George’s Park on Tuesday, which they will remain in for the duration of their Euro 2020 campaign.

Although they will remain in the country, White could face up to six weeks in the bubble depending on how far England progress in the tournament.

But Stevens, who spent time away from home during the 1986 World Cup, admits some players struggle to be away from their family for such a long time.

He said: “Well you have to get your mindset right to start with and I go back to my World Cup trip to Mexico in 86, we went to Colorado in America to stay at altitude, to start acclimatising and we had a week or ten days out there, then they were able to fly the wives and girlfriends out to have four or five days with us.

“They went back and we went onto Mexico, so they tried to break up the potential or six or seven weeks of being away by splitting it up.

“I don’t think that it is going to be quite so easy to do this time because of the global pandemic and being in a bubble.

“But I think it is something that can be very difficult for certain individuals to be honest, as suddenly you don’t have the access and lifestyle that you are used to.

“When Fabio Capello was in charge of England all reports suggest he got it wrong because they were very isolated and it was a difficult camp.

“I think Southgate in the last one got it right because of the atmosphere he generated, so in many ways these days they do so much more to occupy the players than in my day for sure.

“But even so because it takes you out of your normal routine it can be quite difficult for some players.”

Many England fans and pundits were surprised by White being called up to replace Alexander-Arnold, with many tipping James Ward-Prowse or former Albion loanee Jesse Lingard to get the nod.

However, Stevens felt White was nailed on to get the call-up.

He said: “Well I thought he had a real chance in all honesty because when you look at the fact it was a defender, a right back who had dropped out of the squad.

“When you think there are doubts about Harry Maguire and how he fit he is.

“When you look at the way Ben played against Romania for the 90 minutes, I thought he was more composed than Tyrone Mings.

“I also definitely would have thought that with Gareth Southgate’s time at the FA overlapping with Dan Ashworth’s, that he would have been consulted about Ben as well.

“From seeing a third of the games that he has played this season for Brighton, he is comfortable on the ball, very strong, very quick and he can play in different positions, so I think he ticks so many boxes.

“So, although many people thought he would not be picked, there was a big bit of me that thought he was nailed on to be the one that would get the shout.”