Alan Shearer has urged Gareth Southgate to start Kieran Trippier in England's World Cup opener against Iran on November 21.
Trippier, 32, is enjoying a superb campaign, scoring one goal and providing four assists in 15 appearances for Newcastle. His form has helped Eddie Howe's side concede just 11 Premier League goals this season - the joint-best record in the competition with Arsenal.
Southgate could have a number of right-backs to choose from - including Trippier, Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Yet Newcastle legend Shearer believes Trippier must start for the Three Lions in Qatar because of his impressive form at club level.
Speaking on Sunday night's Match of the Day, Shearer insisted Trippier was England's "most in form defender". The former Three Lions captain said: "It is about where he plays for England not if he plays. He can play left-back, right-back, right wing-back."
Shearer added: "If you want someone who is a very good defender, he is it. If you want someone who will create chances he is also it and he is also a great leader. He has been a real game changer for Newcastle with his attitude and ability.
"He really has been fantastic. He is calm under pressure and doesn't panic at all. His all-round game has been amazing. All of that in front of the watching England manager. With all the problems England have had, he has to start."
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Much of the talk around England's World Cup squad has focused on the right-backs at Southgate's disposal. Walker is expected to be fit for the tournament after undergoing groin surgery at the start of October, but he's yet to make his comeback for Manchester City.
Reece James is currently nursing a knee injury sustained in a Champions League game last month and is likely to miss the World Cup as a result. The Chelsea defender is not giving up without a fight, however, and is undergoing intense rehab to make the squad.
Alexander-Arnold is fit but there are huge question marks over his defensive ability. This was demonstrated on Sunday afternoon, as he struggled to deal with Ivan Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon in Liverpool's 2-1 win against Tottenham in North London.
Former England right-back Gary Neville, who represented his country at two World Cups and three Euros, is worried about trusting Alexander-Arnold at a major tournament.
"At this moment in time, I can't see how Gareth could go into a knockout game of a World Cup playing Trent Alexander-Arnold," he told Sky Sports after Sunday's game. "I want this player to be the greatest right-back of all time because he's got the ability to do that, but today at times again, he looked like he could cost Liverpool dearly.
"He does rash things. In a World Cup, there would have been a penalty against him today and in a second phase or a quarter-final, he's given a goal away. I don't think Gareth will trust him in a knockout game, which means will he then take him? He's got four brilliant right-backs also potentially to go."
