Appleton promises Webster England honours are on the way

The Pompey defender has been the subject of three requests by the Football Association to link-up with the under-19s.

His most recent came two weeks ago before the trip to Notts County.

As with two previous call-ups last season, Appleton was forced to block the 17-year-old joining up with England.

Concerns over the Blues’ squad size and the need for Webster to be considered for selection in forthcoming matches saw his manager step in on each occasion.

It leaves the West Wittering youngster still without an international appearance at any level.

Appleton has every sympathy with Webster, who has now started the last two Pompey matches, earning the man-of-the-match award against Yeovil on Tuesday.

And he is adamant the starlet will one day still go on to represent his country at under-21 level at the very minimum.

He said: ‘Adam will play for one of the young England teams, whether it’s under-19s, under-21s, whatever.

‘I have got absolutely no doubt about that because he is in and around it now and has been recognised and is good enough to do it.

‘I would just love to be in a position where I could allow him to be a young international.

‘I am in contact with Noel (Blake) and the people at England and they understand the position we are in.

‘It’s not as if we are saying “no” and he is nowhere near the team or not even in the squad or on the bench and not even looking like coming on.

‘If that was the case then I would have no problems.

‘Even if it was one of our development group players and England wanted him then there would be no issues with that at all.

‘But because it is a kid and we are where we are, Adam is going to have to play a lot of football.

‘That is the third time now Adam has either been on standby or called up.

‘But because of where this club has been over the last 11 months I have been here, he has not been able to go.

‘So the actual football club has put him in a position where he has not been able to be an international player.’

Webster was moved over to left-back to face Yeovil.

In turn, that allowed Mustapha Dumbuya to return to right-back, with Jon Harley pushing up into the left-hand side of midfield.

The youngster didn’t let Appleton down, producing a superb display.

And his Pompey boss was also delighted with his showing.

He added: ‘Adam was good against Yeovil.

‘At times you wouldn’t think he was 17, although I thought he really tired towards the end.

‘In the last 10 minutes or so he was making a couple of poor decisions but that was down to tiredness more than anything and nothing to do with his ability.

‘He has stood up and been counted at the minute.

‘I don’t want to keep asking a 17-year-old to play but in the short-term period, until we can get something sorted out, we might have to.’