Dunk becomes Brighton’s first England call-up in 35 years

London (AFP) – Brighton defender Lewis Dunk received his first call-up into the England squad on Sunday ahead of the Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain.

Dunk, 26, has replaced Burnley’s injured James Tarkowski in Gareth Southgate’s 25-man squad for Friday’s match against World Cup finalists Croatia in Rijeka and the game against Spain in Seville three days later.

Brighton-born Dunk —- who signed a new five-year deal with the club on Friday -— will join the England squad on Monday.

“We are absolutely thrilled for Lewis, he fully deserves this call up,” said Brighton manager Chris Hughton in a club statement.

“He’s improved with every season, and on the back of an impressive first season in the Premier League he continues to progress; I’m delighted he has now been given recognition at international level.”

Dunk is the first Brighton player to be called up by England since Steve Foster was a member of Ron Greenwood’s squad for the 1982 World Cup in Spain and only the fourth overall.

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