THREE LIONS A GRAY AREA
LOOK at the current England squad. And then spot the odd man
out. JOE WORRALL says playing for England Under-21s is a luxury – after sleeping on a floor during his apprenticeship.
DEMARAI GRAY is ready and waiting – and he’s desperate for Gareth Southgate’s call.
Leicester City’s winger watched with a mixture of pride and disappointment as several of his England Under-21 colleagues were given the nod to join the seniors. Lewis Cook, Dominic Solanke and Tammy Abraham were asked to link up with the big boys last November – and Gray was overlooked.
But he is turning any sense of grievance into motivation.
And Aidy Boothroyd, the U-21 boss, says that Gray, who England U21 Holland U21 Ukraine U21 Scotland U21 Latvia U21 Andorra U21 P W D L F A Pts 5 4 1 0 10 2 13 5 2 2 1 13 4 8 5 2 2 1 10 4 8 6 2 2 2 7 7 8 6 0 3 3 2 10 3 5 0 2 3 1 16 2 responded with the opening goal after being handed the captaincy in a 2-1 friendly victory over Romania, is ready for the step up. He said: “When Tammy, Dom Solanke and Lewis Cook all moved up last time around, Demarai was a bit disappointed. He can’t wait until he gets to the seniors.
“He needed to get into his club side regularly and he’s done that. You can’t rule anything out. Touch wood,
we don’t get any injuries and Gareth has a full quota to choose from, but if there’s an injury and someone is flying in the U-21s... you can never say never.
“Gareth was in our meeting room the other day, giving out caps, and told them: ‘We’re watching – you may be needed, make sure you are ready.’”
Gray (left) said: “I’ve got my own personal targets and it was good to see Lewis, Tammy and Dom go to the last camp with the first team.
“It shows the England manager has faith in young players. That if you perform here, you’ve got a chance. I believe my time will come.”