Aaron Ramsdale is set to get an opportunity to show what he can do as England’s No.1 later this month. The Arsenal goalkeeper only has three caps for his country, but he is set to add to that in the Three Lions’ upcoming Nations League fixtures against Italy and Germany. Pickford’s injury presents an opportunity for another goalkeeper to impress Gareth Southgate, and Ramsdale is the leading candidate. Newcastle United’s Nick Pope and Dean Henderson of Nottingham Forest will also be hoping for a chance in September’s international fixtures.

The timing of Pickford’s injury could be significant. The games against Italy and Germany are England’s last matches before the World Cup, so Ramsdale will be looking to put himself into Southgate’s thoughts ahead of the tournament in Qatar.

Southgate has stuck loyally to Pickford throughout his England career, even when he has endured patchy spells of form at Everton. He has made 45 appearances for England, while Ramsdale, Pope and Henderson have just 12 caps between them. Ramsdale is very much Pickford’s England deputy, but that could change if the Arsenal goalkeeper impresses away on international duty later this month. Ramsdale made his England debut last November in a 10-0 win vs San Marino, while he also started in the summer’s Nations League fixtures against Italy and Hungary.

Ramsdale has been the number one goalkeeper at the Emirates Stadium for a long time now under manager Mikel Arteta and he has subsequently grown into confidence ever since the Spanish manager became the Gunners boss. He will be hoping that Pickford spends some considerable amount of time on the sidelines because it will be his big chance to nail down the number one spot for the Three Lions at the World Cup.