The 18-year-old was a late call-up to the senior squad (Picture: Getty)

Gary Neville believes Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo could be handed the ?Jorginho role? by Gareth Southgate and allow Declan Rice to play further forward for England.

The 18-year-old, who delivered a superb display in his side?s FA Cup win over Liverpool at the weekend, is in line to make his debut for the Three Lions in friendlies against Brazil and Belgium after being promoted from the Under-21 squad this week.

Midfield is one area of the pitch where Southgate is relatively limited in his options, with minimal depth outside of Rice and Jude Bellingham ? who has been playing effectively as a No.10 for Real Madrid this season.

Jordan Henderson provides experience and Conor Gallagher has been impressively tenacious for Chelsea, while James Maddison and Phil Foden are both capable of dropping into deeper roles.
It has created an opening for a player with Mainoo?s technical, playmaking skillset and Neville feels he could be an ideal, Jorginho-like foil for Rice that allows the Arsenal man to push further forward in more of a box-to-box role ? as he has done for his club.

Speaking on Sky Bet?s Stick to Football podcast, Neville said: ?I think when Southgate watches Rice [for Arsenal] and how Rice has been freed by Jorginho, I wonder whether he?s brought Mainoo in to sit there and have Bellingham and Rice in front.

?Because they?ll both get back and, to be fair, look after him. I wonder if ...