Marco Silva says Harry Maguire deserves England call-up 'as soon as possible'
Thursday 2 March 2017 16:38, UK
Hull City head coach Marco Silva believes defender Harry Maguire deserves an England call-up "as soon as possible".
Maguire, 23, has played the full 90 minutes in Hull's last 12 Premier League games and played through a knee injury in the Tigers' 1-1 draw with Burnley last weekend.
Silva has been so impressed with Maguire's displays that he thinks he should be named in Gareth Southgate's squad for England's games against Germany and Lithuania later this month.
"Of course it's not my decision, but first of all I hope so," Silva said. "What I've seen of Harry in the last two months, I think he'll play as soon as possible in the national team.
"I've seen good skills, fantastic character. Maybe he's not listened the last few years, but I'm sure he'll have a great career.
"When I think of one centre-back to play at a high level I look to Maguire and see so many things to play at this level.
"Of course, he needs to improve many things, the position and to understand better some moments of the game.
"But I believe he will have a great career."
Maguire needed lengthy treatment during last week's home draw against Burnley before going on to win rave reviews from Silva with another commanding display at the heart of defence.
The Tigers will have to leave it late before receiving confirmation Maguire will be fit to face Premier League champions Leicester City on Saturday.
"We'll see (on Friday)," Silva said, when asked if Maguire would be available for the game at the King Power Stadium. "We have one more training session to see, but I think he'll be available for the match."
Hull will also be without striker Dieumerci Mbokani for the Leicester game, with the DR Congo international expected to be out for six weeks with a hamstring injury.
"It is never good to lose an important player in our squad but we need to find other solutions," said Silva. " After he came here, he worked well for me and for the squad.
"Of course, it's not good he is not available. We will see if it is six weeks or not but for now, he is not available for the next match."
