Lion cubs ready to double up
AIDY BOOTHROYD has given England’s Young Lions the green light to feature in the summer’s Nations League and the European Under-21 Championship.
Players including Callum Hudson-Odoi could be used by Gareth Southgate and are also eligible for Boothroyd’s squad.
And though the schedule between the two events is tight, under-21 boss Boothroyd sees no reason why his prospects cannot play in both.
Hudson-Odoi was promoted to Southgate’s squad this week after initially being called up to the under-21s.
He is due to return to Young Lions duty for the Euros in Italy and San Marino, but is clearly high in Southgate’s thoughts ahead of June’s Nations League finals in Portugal.
Boothroyd said: “The Nations League Final is on the ninth and our first game is the 18th against France so there would be the possibility for players to join us after.
“I would much prefer to know exactly who I’ve got before going into that. We’ve also got some lads in the Championship, Germany and Holland.
“The Championship finishes on May 5 and we get them in on the 12th. The lads who finish in the Premier League on the 13th join us on the 20th.
“If players are in the play-offs and Champions League Final they will have to join us later.”
His side face Poland in Bristol tonight before hosting Germany at Bournemouth on Tuesday. England:
Love me or hate me, I don’t care. I would not change anything