Ian Wright has urged Gareth Southgate to start Adam Wharton after the England boss' remarks about a lack of replacement for Kalvin Phillips.

The Blackburn Rovers Academy is yet to feature at the European Championship despite the Three Lions' struggles in midfield.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice have started the opening two games but have not convinced. Thursday's display against Denmark was particularly incohesive with the balance of the team under scrutiny.

Many Blackburn Rovers fans were taken back when Southgate suggested England don't have a natural replacement for Phillips, who has been the manager's preferred partner for Rice for much of his tenure.

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Wharton's qualities would bring natural balance to England's midfield, though it would be a perceived risk starting the 20-year-old after six months in the Premier League.

But Wright believes Wharton is the answer to England's midfield issues and made the case for the Crystal Palace star after the full-time whistle.

"It's either Kobbie (Mainoo) or Wharton, but I'd probably put Wharton in there simply because he's the closest I've seen to Fabian Ruiz," Wright said on ITV.

"When I've seen him in the last few games for Palace at the end of the season, his calmness. He's calm, he's got a pass.  

"He's a very intelligent player and he's somebody that wouldn't panic in this situation. He's been picked in the squad. 

"Listening to Gareth, he mentioned about Kalvin Phillips and he's the only one in the country who can play that role, I don't believe that. 

"I believe Adam Wharton can play it. I think Kobbie Mainoo can play it as well. You've picked them. 

"Now we're in a situation where it's not desperation because we've got four points, but we're in a place where we need something different, we need to change something.

"He's had some moments where he has delivered what we thought he would," he added on Trent Alexander-Arnold.

"We know it is an experiment and we don't have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips, but we're trying some different things and at the moment we're not flowing as we'd like, that's for sure."