Gareth Southgate says Lewis Dunk has taken “good steps forward” with England.

The Three Lions boss offered qualified praise of the Albion centre-back in the 1-0 friendly win over Australia.

Dunk was voted England man of the match for his efforts as he won his third cap, all in friendlies.

He will now hope to make his competitive debut when Italy visit for a Euro 2024 qualifier on Tuesday.

Dunk’s clearance off the line just before the interval helped ensure the clean sheet.

Southgate said: “I think he did some things very well.

“His clearance off the line was critical and, when he is defending his box, he is swashbuckling like that.

“He hurls his body in and gets important blocks.

“At times he used the ball well. He is composed. He has developed so much as a player since he was last with us - with Graham (Potter) and then with Roberto (De Zerbi), the work they are doing.

“He has taken good steps forward in the two games he has played.”

Southgate said the much-changed and relatively inexperienced line-up made it difficult for the players involved.

He added: “I set them a really difficult challenge.

“It was great that they got the win. It was important to keep winning because if we if we lose the game or you give a goal away at the end then you leave here on a bit of a low. It sets the game up now with Italy.

“In the end, it’s very hard to prepare the squad when they know ultimately this week really is about the Italy game and it’s impossible to dress that up any other way.”