Thomas Tuchel Could Hand Record-Breaking Championship Star England Call-up

Thomas Tuchel could give a shock call-up to a Championship player who has been in fine form this season.

England have secured qualification for the World Cup in North America with relative ease and back in June, Tuchel revealed that he had essentially decided on 16 out of the 26 players allowed for the showpiece.

He has not been afraid to bring new players into the set-up and having already topped Group K, could give others an opportunity to impress in remaining games against Serbia and Albania in November.

And it's emerged that Tuchel and his staff have been keeping tabs on one star who could yet force his way into plans for the United States, Mexico and Canada.

According to talkSPORT, England scouts have been keeping tabs on Coventry City goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, who has been performing excellently for the Championship leaders.

Under Frank Lampard, Coventry are three points clear at the top of the table - winning eight and drawing four in their first 12 games.

Rushworth is being paid close attention by England. Image: Getty

On loan from Brighton, Rushworth has conceded just nine goals, keeping six clean sheets and going 613 minutes without a goal going past him.

In the summer, he was said to be close to joining Scottish giants Rangers but Brighton are believed to have prevented it from happening - with owner Tony Bloom completing a £9.86 million purchase of a 29% stake in Hearts, who are eight points clear at the top of the table.

He has flourished in the English second tier with Coventry though, following on from loans in the division with Swansea and Hull.

England's first-choice goalkeeper for the World Cup will once again be Everton's Jordan Pickford, with Dean Henderson, James Trafford, Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale among the other options for what will be three spaces on the plane.

England legend Lampard showers praise on Rushworth

Prior to the 3-1 win over Watford, Rushworth kept five clean sheets in a row in an impressive run and will have his eyes on his own personal record of 16 - as well as the club's best tally of 22 from his teammate Ben Wilson in the 2022/23 season.

Rushworth has six clean sheets this season. Image: Getty

Lampard has been delighted by his performances and his continued increase in confidence levels.

"His confidence has grown since he has been here, but I always knew when we brought him in he's a very talented goalkeeper, and I'm really pleased for him with that record. He deserves it, it is a great achievement," he told BBC.

"More than ever in the modern game, you defend from the front, but sometimes you have to acknowledge the individual achievement of that, and that's amazing to be at the club for such a short period and to do that."