Jarrad Branthwaite has welcomed his recall to England’s squad after overcoming a series of hamstring and groin injuries. The Everton defender says a complex rehabilitation programme in Germany, examining his movement patterns and the relationship between his brain and body, was crucial to returning to fitness.

Branthwaite, 24, has started every Premier League match this season after making only 10 appearances last term. He spent three to four weeks at Munich’s MYOS clinic and was carefully managed during pre-season; his latest injury, sustained against Liverpool in April, had ended his season and damaged his hopes of making England’s World Cup squad. The Nations League fixtures against Spain, Czechia and Croatia could bring his second senior England appearance.