Manchester United manager David Moyes has backed both Phil Jones and Chris Smalling to force their way into the England side after the World Cup.
The duo have both been tipped to be members of Roy Hodgson's travelling party for this summer's tournament in Brazil, but it is expected that Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill are the preferred pairing at the heart of the defence.
"After this World Cup, England will probably look to Jones and Chris Smalling as their next pairing at centre-half," the club's official website quotes the Scot as saying.
"We have got them at United now and are bringing them on but I think, in time, they will also be a pairing for England."
The duo are likely to feature for the Red Devils against Fulham this afternoon.
