ADAM WEBSTER was drawing closer to a maiden England call-up last March before injury scuppered his chances.

Now the centre-back is being tipped for international honours once again as a result of his excellent recent form for high-flying Brighton.

Webster, 27, won Albion a point against Chelsea on Tuesday with a belting header just before the hour from Alexis Mac Allister’s corner.

It gave Blues stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga absolutely no chance and capped a fantastic display alongside the equally-impressive Dan Burn against the champions of Europe.

Former Three Lions defender Jamie Carragher was raving about Webster after the game.

The Liverpool legend tweeted: “Adam Webster’s passing out from the back, with both feet is better than any other English central defender.”

Webster certainly is a rarity with his ease on both feet as well as his coolness under pressure on the ball.

He fits perfectly into the possession-based game Graham Potter wants to play, building from the back.

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And that was exactly why Potter made Webster Brighton’s record signing when signing him for £20million from Bristol City shortly after taking the Albion job in 2019.

The Chichester-born defender has had to do things the hard way, earning his way to the big time by playing up the leagues.

He came through at Portsmouth, suffering relegation to League Two with the South-Coast side in 2013 and even going on loan to non-league Aldershot that year.

Moves to Ipswich and then Ashton Gate then followed, before his arrival in the Premier League three years ago.

He was part of a formidable back three including Lewis Dunk and Ben White – who subsequently joined Arsenal for £50m – last season and was impressing Gareth Southgate and his FA talent-spotters.

But ankle ligament damage ruined the possibility of a call-up before the March internationals and kept him out for two months.

ENGLAND NEXT?

Injury has been an issue this term too with a six-week lay-off in September due to hamstring trouble.

Yet he has really come into his own over the festive period and formed a rock-solid partnership with Burn while captain Dunk has been out injured.

With England not exactly blessed for top-quality centre-backs beyond John Stones, it is easy to see why Southgate would be looking at Webster.

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Harry Maguire has been reliable for his country but has suffered a nightmare season for Manchester United.

There have been question marks about Tyrone Mings and Conor Coady’s ability at the very top level, while White is still finding his feet at Arsenal.

Webster’s technical ability, physical prowess – he stands at 6ft3ins – and versatility at playing in either a back four or back three will all be appealing to the national boss.

Statistically, Webster has been more impressive this season in the Premier League than his England competition in a range of areas.

Most notably is his passing per 90 minutes – both in number but also number of passes forward.

I don’t see anybody else with the same level of attributes that Adam Webster has

He is averagine 77.1 passes a game this term, more than Stones (71.0) and miles better than Maguire (57.4)C, White (50.7), Mings (47.5) and Coady (41.4).

But what is more eye-catching is his passes going forward – ie not playing safe – per 90.

Webster is averaging 35.6, compared to Stones (23.0), Maguire (21.2), White (19.6), Mings (19.1) and Coady (12.4).

He certainly seems to be thriving in Potter’s patient, passing game.

But he is also top of the charts against the other five for tackles per 90 too, with no one coming close to his average of 2.0 a match.

The tactically-astute Potter certainly thinks his central defender would be worthy of a call-up.

Albion’s in-vogue boss said: “I don’t see anybody else with the same level of attributes that Adam Webster has.

“In terms of if you want to build from the back, if you to carry the ball, if you want to progress from those areas, he’s fantastic. That’s his quality.

“Now it’s a case of him enjoying his football with us, keep playing, be injury free and then I think anything is possible with him.”

Webster will be praying he stays healthy and keeps up his fine form.

If he can do that, then that friendly against Switzerland in March is a realistic target for a player who has certainly paid his dues.

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