ORIOL Romeu insists Nathan Redmond should be handed an England call-up next week.

Redmond produced one of his best performances for Saints at Watford last weekend, capped by two goals in the 4-3 win at Vicarage Road, six days after an outstanding display against Manchester United in the EFL Cup final.

Saints boss Claude Puel and Serbian international Dusan Tadic have already called for Redmond’s inclusion in England manager Gareth Southgate’s next squad.

Southgate is set to name a squad next Thursday for a friendly against world champions Germany in Dortmund on March 22 and a home World Cup qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley four days later.

Romeu believes Redmond has a very good chance of being in it.

“If he keeps playing like that I would say he’s quite close,” said the Spanish midfielder, following the win at Watford.

“He’s scoring goals, he’s getting assists and playing very good football. It’s a matter of time before he plays for England.

“He’s very good for us, he’s in amazing form. As a player we want him to be scoring goals and running at defenders.

“Hopefully he can carry on like that. He was a real threat. Every time he attacks and goes into the box, he’s ready to shoot.”

Under Southgate, Redmond fired the only hat-trick of his professional career - for England against Wales in May 2014.

He was part of Southgate’s winning Toulon tournament side last summer along with fellow Saints James Ward-Prowse and Jack Stephens.

While Redmond has been a big factor in Saints' electric attacking form of late, they have also leaked six goals in their last two games.

Romeu is well aware it is an area in need of improvement.

“We have to be better defensively,” he admits. “It’s good that we’re scoring goals.

“We’re playing better football and it looks like everyone has settled down with the system.

“It’s better because we have Dusan between the lines and also Redmond sometimes can play there.

“We’re causing lot more problems, we caused problems for one of the best teams in the country (Manchester United).

“But we’re not as solid as we would like to be at the back.

“It’s great for the supporters to see seven goals but we don’t want to concede three goals.”