Sheffield United star's England Euro 2020 squad odds improve dramatically following major injury to rival

On New Year's day, Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton, a shoe-in to make Gareth Southgate's 23-man squad, was ruled out of action for the rest of the season, after suffering a nightmare knee ligament injury during his side's 2-1 win at Burnley.

Sky Bet have reacted to the incident by installing Sheffield United's Dean Henderson, on loan from Manchester United, as one of the three goalkeeping favourites to be included in the England squad, with his odds now at 1/3.

Jordan Pickford (1/50) and Nick Pope's (1/12) places look to be all but secured, while Henderson's closest rivals to being involved in Euro 2020 are Bournemouth's Aaron Ramsdale (9/4) and Southampton's Fraser Forster (5/1).

England will play a number of friendly matches to prepare themselves for the summer tournament, with encounters against Italy and Denmark taking place in late March, ahead of further tests against Austria and Romania in June.

Southgate, who called Henderson up for the last international break, could well give the Red Devils' stopper his first senior cap in the build-up to the tournament.

The 22-year-old has certainly made an excellent case to challenge Everton's Jordan Pickford's position as starting goalkeeper, but the England manager's devout loyalty to his existing crop of players may see Henderson have to wait until the next major tournament to wear the number one jersey.