RYAN Bertrand is desperate for more international action after his brief appearance against Italy, admitting: “It doesn’t get bigger than playing for England.”

The Saints left-back was finally rewarded for his outstanding Saints form when he won his third cap against Italy in Turin a fortnight ago.

Bertrand made his first England appearance in two-and-a-half years when Danny Rose and then Leighton Baines pulled out.

And while he was only on the pitch for a few minutes after coming on as a late substitute for Kieran Gibbs in the Juventus Stadium, it has whetted his appetite for more England appearances.

“It was good to get back in the frame and on the pitch even though it was very brief,” said the 25 year-old, who saw Saints teammate Graziano Pelle give Italy the lead in the 1-1 draw. “I was just thinking typical, anyone but him!”

Bertrand was an unused sub for Chelsea when they played a Champions League fixture in the same stadium in November 2012.

But he admits coming for England there was special. “All those years I spent watching games as a kid, the England games were always the biggest games,” he said.

“So to be part of it, to wear the actual kit and know the whole country is cheering you on was fantastic.”

Bertrand also won his other caps as a substitute, against Italy and Ukraine, in August/September 2012.

Inexplicably, Hodgson preferred a plethora of left-backs earlier this season, before recalling Bertrand when Baines and Rose withdrew.

“It’s down to him, whoever he wants to pick is his decision,” said Bertrand, who made no secret of his frustration at not being picked for so long.

“I’ll just concentrate on my game. I’m confident enough to know that I should be in there but I don’t pick the team so I’ll just keep going.”

England are next in action in June, when they play a friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin and a Euro 2016 qualifier in Slovenia.

Bertrand is hoping to have European football with Saints to look forward to by then and is more confident of it after Pelle’s first goal in 15 Premier League games helped secure the 2-0 win against Hull City.

“It was good to get a win and keep another clean sheet,” he said. “We’re very happy as a team. The top four is now a big ask but we’re going to aim to win all our remaining games and see where that leads us. Whatever will be will be.”