It’s Luke to England

ROCHDALE youngster Luke Matheson – a scorer at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup earlier this season – has received a second international call-up for England Under-18s.

The 17-year-old, who is Dale’s youngest first-team debutant, picked up his first caps for the Under-18s last month and is in contention to appear against Russia, Norway and Czech Republic, all at the Pinatar Arena in Spain.

The defender continues on from a positive October – a month where he made his international bow in wins over Poland and Slovakia – and also signed his first professional contract with Rochdale.

With the first Under-18s fixture versus Russia taking place on Thursday, Matheson has been ruled out of tonight’s crucial Leasing.com Trophy tie versus Bradford City in Group F.

Rochdale travel to Valley Parade knowing they must win by a four-goal margin over the high-flying Bantams to better second-placed Bolton’s goal difference and advance.

However, manager Brian BarryMurphy has hinted he will field a rotated side including his younger options, with many players recovering from Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Wrexham.

He said: “We will continue with the same motto that we do all the time. We tend to play our brightest young talents in this competition, combined with some of our more senior players.”

If Rochdale get past Wrexham in their FA Cup reply, they will host Boston in the second round.

Elsewhere, Oldham Athletic’s League Two fixture versus Stevenage scheduled for Saturday has been postponed after Boro had three players selected for international duty. The Latics, who last year were managed by Paul Scholes, have been drawn at home to either Salford City or Burton Albion in the second round of the FA Cup.