Rico Henry must add attacking flair to his game to persuade England manager Gareth Southgate he can star for his country... after the Three Lions boss resisted calls to call up the in-form left-back

• e-mail

You have to wonder whether Gareth Southgate's concerns over the lack of English talent in the Premier League pricked the ears of Rico Henry.

'We have (only) got four left-footed left backs in the league so we will have to start looking in the Championship or elsewhere,' said the England boss.

While everyone in these parts was delighted at Ivan Toney's England recall in Southgate's first squad since the World Cup, many were frustrated only one of their stars of the season was given the nod. They believe Henry, a left-footed left back no less, should be in the frame after two impressive seasons with the Bees.

Henry, 25, is an old-fashioned full back, less likely to influence the game in the opposition box than his own. He has great energy and a turn of pace to negate most wingers and excels in one-v-ones. 

Manager Thomas Frank believes his full back cannot be far from Southgate's thoughts. 'I'm sure Gareth is looking at him,' said Frank. 'The only thing you can do is keep performing and Rico is. Both seasons he has been very consistent.'

Rico Henry put in another solid display for Brentford against Leicester on Saturday

The downside is Henry's end product going forward. This draw with Leicester was the sort of game where Henry could be the difference maker. He has just two assists this season but his manager sees progress. 

'He has had a few unlucky injuries that maybe broke the rhythm a bit,' said Frank. 'He is getting more consistent with crosses, passes. That's important.' His assured display was the highlight in an otherwise disappointing Brentford showing. 

They took the lead in a scrappy first half after Bryan Mbeumo's blocked cross fell to captain Mathias Jensen. His strike deflected past Daniel Iversen on his Premier League debut.

In the 23 occasions Brentford had taken a Premier League lead they had never lost. But Leicester, on a five-game losing run, were the better team in the second half. 

Their persistence was rewarded when Harvey Barnes coolly lifted the ball over David Raya. But the Foxes are still just one point outside the relegation zone.

Brentford are only five points behind fifth-placed Newcastle but lacked a spark in the second half. In fact, Shandon Baptiste's contribution from the bench was to earn two yellows in four minutes.

The full-back is brilliant defensively but he could offer more on the other end of the pitch