Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce says Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke should drop into the Championship on-loan.

Bruce, who's been in charge at Villa Park since 2016, wants top-flight teams to build closer links with lower-league sides.

He told The People: "We need the larger clubs to have associations with the smaller ones.

"Feeder clubs? Yes.

"The general consensus is that the Under-23s isn't quite working.

“If you play when you are 18 and you are successful, you need the next step.

"At the moment, we've got the ludicrous situation of Solanke playing for England when he's hardly had a game with Liverpool. That can't be right.

"We have young players all over the country doing well - but not playing.

“Surely any young, talented player would prefer turning out for the likes of Forest Green, Bury, Oldham Athletic - you're better playing there for three months and learning your trade than in the Under-23s.

"I think something like a draft system could work. Loans definitely benefit parent clubs."