Darren Bent believes Conor Coady should have had England chance by now

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Darren Bent has claimed Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Conor Coady has been disrespected having not been given a chance with England.

The former Premier League striker was on talkSPORT discussing the current crop of centre-halves available to Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate ahead of this summer’s European Championships.

The main focus of the chat was about Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings, but talk turned to the Wolves captain and Bent expressed his surprise at the lack of an opportunity at international level for the 26-year-old.

He said: “What he’s done at Wolves the last couple of seasons, I think it’s been disrespectful to him that he’s not even getting a mention.

“I think he’s been brilliant. And that’s not even his natural position. His natural position was a central midfield player, who’s adapted to play at centre-half so.

“I do think, considering what Wolves have done the last couple of seasons, [he] at least earns a cap. Or at least for people to go ‘he deserves it’ or ‘he’s close’, but nothing.”

Coady has indeed been in fine fettle over the past couple of years, but faces an uphill battle to earn an England cap before the Euros.

TBR’s view – Coady unfortunate

Coady can count himself fairly unlucky not to have been handed at least a call-up.

He really has been a top player for Wolves in the Premier League and even in the Championship.

Perhaps that Southgate no longer uses a three-at-the-back system is why Coady has been continually overlooked.