Saints legend Francis Benali has backed Ryan Bertrand to overcome his latest England blow and carve out a successful international career.

The left-back was overlooked when Roy Hodgson announced his latest squad, and was subsequently ignored when ex-Saint Luke Shaw withdrew through injury, with Tottenham’s Danny Rose being called up instead.

Rose himself has since pulled out with hip and hamstring problems and has not been replaced – although the England manager yesterday hinted he could bring someone else in after tonight’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania.

Benali felt Betrand deserved a place in the set-up and can count himself unfortunate to be missing tonight’s match at Wembley, with England also facing a friendly in Italy next Tuesday.

But he is confident the 25-year-old, who was capped twice for England in 2012, will soon force his way back in.

“He’s an outstanding full back,” said Benali, right, who made 369 appearances for Saints.

“He’s athletic, like any good modern full back. Not only can he defend and is hard to beat, but he is a threat going forward.

“He’s at an age where he is probably maturing into the best years of his career.

“He can look forward to being more successful with Saints in the coming seasons and to establish his place within the England set-up as well, certainly if he continues to perform the way he has done this season.”

Former left-back Benali added: “Quite naturally, I look out for players in that position, and he could have a fantastic career, not just at club level, but hopefully on the international stage as well.

“He’s got more than enough about him and in his game to put himself in the frame for the international squad.

“He can count himself a little bit unfortunate, especially when there have been a number of withdrawals for this recent squad.

“Naturally, I’m biased towards our own team’s players, but if you asked any neutral fan and look at what somebody like Danny Rose and Ryan have done this season, he certainly deserves a place within the squad.

“It hasn’t come, and I’m sure it’s disappointment to him.

“But I’m sure he will look at it in the sense that, where it hasn’t come his way at this point in time, hopefully it will urge him on to continue to play well for Southampton.

“If not now, then hopefully the England call will come in the future.”

Bertrand has been one of the finest performers in an outstanding Saints team this season, and Benali has been hugely impressed with his ability at both ends of the pitch.

“He plays with confidence, he never seems flustered and he’s very composed on the ball,” he said.

“He’s not afraid of getting forward either, as you have seen with the goals he’s scored and chances he’s created.

“But naturally I look at them as defenders first and foremost.

“Ryan has played in a team that has conceded the least amount of goals in the Premier League, and it’s a testament to him as a defender, as well as his teammates.

“We all like watching the beautiful game now, and full-backs are expected to get forward and be a threat in the final third, but you also need a side to you that makes you tough to play against.

“He’s not a giant in terms of height, but he’s athletic, he’s strong, and he’s not afraid to mix it, if it means getting down to a little bit of the nitty gritty side of the game.

“He’s more than competitive in that sense.

“From Southampton’s perspective, he’s a fantastic signing. I think signing for Southampton is good for him as well.

“It’s probably helped him personally that he’s played in a team that’s had a successful season, and that he’s played in and around class players as well.

“Playing alongside Toby [Alderweireld], in front of someone like Fraser [Forster], and having players in and around him of that calibre has got to help you as an individual as well, as opposed to being a good, young player in a struggling team.

“And it’s also good he’s got someone like Matt Targett, who will push him for his place as well, especially as he matures and grows.”