Brighton defender Lewis Dunk has revealed he's spoken with Gareth Southgate about his England chances.

Dunk will be out to prove he's got what it takes to play at the top level when he returns to Wembley today with Brighton for their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

“He (Southgate) told me I was still in his plans, he told me to keep fighting and that I could be in the next one so just keep going," Dunk, 27, told The Mirror.

“Not everyone makes that call, that's what I appreciated most about the phone call.

“The Premier League is the best league in the world and just to test myself in it each week is a dream come true and it makes me better because I have to improve more, be switched on more, learn more.

“It's an amazing opportunity to have and an opportunity we want to thrive in.

“We're a team which tries to contain teams. We must defend well, if we get a chance then you have to be clinical.

“If you get in a position then finish it off and defend as a unit, defend for our lives."