Lewis Dunk is back in the England squad.

The Albion skipper has been named in Gareth Southgate’s group for two Euro 2024 qualifiers next month.

England visit Malta on June 16 and face North Macedonia in Manchester three days later as they look to build on their flying start in Group C.

If Dunk gets on, it will be his competitive international debut.

His one cap to date came in a 3-0 friendly win over the USA at Wembley in November, 2018.

Dunk has been repeatedly touted for an England return in recent seasons, be it by Albion fans and colleagues or more neutral observers.

 

His Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi has called him “dis-human” and spoke yesterday of his progress in recent months.

De Zerbi said: “He has developed. He understands football.

“In the first period it was not so easy to understand my idea but he gave me total availability and I would like him more open.

“He doesn’t speak a lot but he is an example outside of the dressing room and off the pitch.

“It’s not my work to decide the players of the national team but for us it should be a target. I hope he can play in the national team.”

Dunk’s previous England outing saw him partner Michael Keane in central defence with Jordan Pickford in goal.