Luton boss was sure ex-Hatter James Justin would have got an England call-up before season-ending injury

Luton manager Nathan Jones was convinced that former full back James Justin was certain of a call-up to the full England squad before suffering his season-ending injury recently.

The 22-year-old was with Jones when at Kenilworth Road earlier in his career, playing 114 times and scoring six goals until he earned his move to the Premier League, snapped up by Leicester, Town picking up a club record fee in the process.

The ex-Hatter had been in stunning form for Brendan Rodgers' side this term, making 31 appearances in what was becoming a stand-out campaign for the Luton-born defender, but then fell awkwardly in the 1-0 FA Cup win over Brighton earlier this month and had to be stretchered off.

He was tipped for a first senior England call-up when Gareth Southgate names his Three Lions squad next month, but with the scan confirming cruciate ligament damage, Justin won't play again this term.

Jones said: "There’s no ‘potential England call-up,' he 100 per cent would have got one.

"You name me a better full-back in the Premier League, even the ones at Liverpool.

"I knew what he would do because he is like a chameleon, he will adapt to whatever environment he goes into, he is that good.

"It’s a real, real shame, but let’s not lament over anything.

"He will come back and he’ll come back stronger.

"He is a fantastic athlete, yes, he’s had a bad injury but he’ll recover from that.

"It’s a real shame because of the form he was in, and yes, Leicester look like they are doing something magnificent there.

"He would have, 100 per cent, I’m sure got an England call-up, a debut and it would have been well justified because I don’t think there have been many full-backs in the Premier League that have been better than him.

"I would struggle to think of one."

When asked if he had been in touch with his former player since the injury, Jones added: "Yes, I’ve messaged, but James will get bombarded with so much.

"Everyone really cares about James and things, and as the song goes, 'he’s one of our own.'

"We are very proud of him, but let’s not write him off or anything, he’s picked up an injury but many people will pick up an injury and come back, some come back stronger and better.

"Now, if he comes back stronger and better then what a place he is in.

"But he will come back, because of a, the club that he’s at and b, the diligence he has in his life and his career, then he will come back from it and be fantastic."