Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger thinks England will want defender Carl Jenkinson

Carl Jenkinson: The defender has played in all Arsenal's matches in the Premier League this season

Arsene Wenger believes England will 'fight' to not lose Carl Jenkinson to Finland at international level.

The 20-year-old versatile defender has been earning praise this season after playing every minute of Arsenal's Premier League campaign to date in the injury absence of Bacary Sagna.

Jenkinson, a £1million signing from Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2011, had struggled in his 14 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners in 2011/12.

But Wenger thinks the youngster's improvements could see Roy Hodgson decide to name him as a shock call-up to his England squad ahead of the next World Cup qualifiers against Poland and San Marino in October.

Glen Johnson is suspended for the San Marino game while his Liverpool colleague, Martin Kelly, has sustained a long-term knee injury to increase Jenkinson's chances of being selected.

And Wenger reckons any call-up would be a move to keep Jenkinson away from Finland, who he is eligible for on his mother's side and has represented at Under 21 and U19 level as well as playing for England's U17s.

The Arsenal boss said in the Daily Star: "I believe Jenkinson will have an impact here and you will fight for him not to play for Finland."

If Jenkinson appears for Finland in a competitive match, he would become ineligible for England.