Wigan Athletic must brace for transfer interest after big England development: View | OneFootball

Following England's 1-0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, the Three Lions confirmed on Sunday that back-up goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has been ruled out of Tuesday's friendly with Belgium.

The injury sustained by the Crystal Palace shot-stopper led to Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford being promoted from the England Under-21 squad to Gareth Southgate's senior Three Lions side.

Trafford played for the Under-21s against Azerbaijan on Friday night, a game that Lee Carsley's young Lions emerged from as emphatic 5-1 victors courtesy of a Harvey Elliott brace, as well as strikes from Chelsea's Noni Madueke and Championship stars Jaden Philogene-Bidace and Archie Gray.

The Burnley goalkeeper's deputy in Carsley's squad is Wigan Athletic starlet Sam Tickle, who featured on the substitute's bench during the big win in Baku.

Trafford's call-up to the senior side looks set to hand Tickle his international Under-21s debut, and a chance to impress on the international stage.

Wigan must brace themselves for increased transfer interest in Tickle

Should Tickle perform well for Carsley's side against Luxembourg on Tuesday night, the Latics are likely to see an increased number of clubs interested in prising him away from the DW Stadium come the summer transfer window.

The Athletic reported in January that Everton were scouting the 21-year-old after he produced an impressive performance for Shaun Maloney's side in an FA Cup third round tie with Premier League giants Manchester United.

Latics were defeated 2-0 by Erik Ten Hag's men that night, but Tickle proved his ability to perform against high level opponents, and made 12 saves, according to FotMob.

His performance against the Red Devils is a promising sign that Tickle will have what it takes to excel for the England Under 21's, but his club will find it difficult to stave off transfer interest in their man.

If Tickle produces a positive display for Carsley's side on Tuesday, he will once again prove that he is capable of performing at a higher level than Latics are currently operating at.

Given that Maloney's men will be plying their trade in League One next season, as their eight points deduction at the beginning of the campaign has meant that the play-offs are out of their reach, Tickle is perhaps deserving of a move away from the DW Stadium.

As well as Everton, other clubs such as Preston North End and Birmingham City are reportedly interested in Tickle, according to Alan Nixon via Patreon.

Due to the presence of England number one Jordan Pickford, Tickle would be unlikely to play first team football for the Toffees, but he could be more likely to make the starting lineup for Preston or Birmingham.

On the other hand, amid Premier League interest, the goalkeeper could be unlikely to sign for a Championship club, so he could even bide his time at Latics until the right offer came in for him instead of jumping straight to the Lilywhites or Blues this summer.

Tickle has been one of the best goalkeepers in League One this season

Wigan may be sitting in mid-table in League One, but Tickle is one of the finest shot-stoppers in the third tier, hence his inclusion in Carsley's squad.

Only five goalkeepers have kept more clean-sheets in the division than the Latics keeper, who has kept 13 clean-sheets so far this campaign.

Impressively, Tickle has kept more clean-sheets than both Peterborough United's Nicholas Bilokapic and Bolton Wanderers' Nathan Baxter, who are battling for promotion to the Championship.