Loftus-Cheek may drop down to the U21s

RUBen Loftus-Cheek could play for england Under 21s again and is at the centre of talks over which senior players will be considered for euro 2019.

the Chelsea midfielder has not played at Under 21 level since march 2017. he missed that summer’s european Championship in Poland with a back injury and was then elevated to the senior squad at the start of last season by Gareth Southgate, who took him to the World Cup.

Loftus-Cheek remains eligible for selection for the Under 21s, having been born after January 1, 1996 — the cut- off date to be eligible for euro 2019.

Southgate has seven players in his squad for games against Croatia and Spain who could go to euro 2019. Loftus- Cheek is particularly intriguing.

he has barely figured for Chelsea this season, only playing 66 minutes for his club since england’s friendly against Switzerland last month. that has kept him out of Southgate’s plans but the Fa want to see him playing regularly and dropping to the U21s would get him game time.

asked if Loftus-Cheek was out of the Under 21 scene for good, head coach aidy Boothroyd said: ‘no, he isn’t. i’d never say that. there is obviously a stage when they do (graduate) but he is on the cusp of it. i would never say never.’ Pressed on whether he would rule Loftus- Cheek out of dropping down, Boothroyd continued: ‘no, i wouldn’t. there are a few players who could play for the Under 21s next summer, and that’s a discussion that we need to have.’

One player who will be with Boothroyd for the foreseeable future is manchester City’s Phil Foden, who is set to make his Under 21 debut tonight. Foden says he is in the right place to make the next step in his international career as he targets a place with the seniors at euro 2020.

‘it is exciting times for england,’ he said. ‘Gareth isn’t afraid to give us a chance.

‘if it doesn’t happen, i’ll just keep working hard. hopefully the time will come but that’s what i’m aiming for.’

ENGLAND (probable, 4-2-3-1): Henderson; Kenny, Fry, Tomori, Dasilva; Davies, Cook; Calvert-Lewin, Foden, Sessegnon; Solanke.