Cox receives U21s call-up

BRISTOL Rovers goalkeeper Matt Cox has received his first call-up to the England Under-21s squad – which appears a just reward for his impressive start to life with the Pirates on loan from Premier League outfit Brentford.

The 20-year-old has started all ten of Rovers’ opening League One matches as well as a Carabao Cup defeat at Ipswich, with the youngster establishing himself as Joey Barton’s number one.

Boasting impressive confidence and composure on the ball, Cox has been integral to Barton’s focus on playing from the back.

Whilst being one of the country’s most exciting modern-day goalkeepers, the Englishman also has also shown quality in the more traditional goalkeeping departments such as shotstopping and distribution.

Just assessing some of the names that Cox will now call teammates is truly impressive with Manchester City’s Rico Lewis, Liverpool’s Harvey Elliot and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer just some of the big name stars that Young Lions manager Lee Carsley will have at his disposal for U21 Euro qualifiers against Serbia at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground and away to Ukraine.

Rovers are away to Oxford in League One this afternoon – a 12.30pm kick-off. Second-placed Oxford are just one point behind leaders Portsmouth with a game in hand.

King named by Under-18s

YOUNG prospect Tom King has made further history by becoming the first Cheltenham Town player to be named in an England squad at any age group.

He has already gone down in the record books as the Robins’ youngest-ever EFL player, going on from the bench in the 1-0 defeat at Shrewsbury on the opening day of this season at the age of 16 years and 319 days.

Now 17, he will travel to Spain with the England Under-18s this weekend before a trio of matches throughout the following ten days, against Belgium, Morocco and South Korea.

King was born in Gloucester and grew up in Dursley, where he still lives with his family.

He is yet to pass his driving test, so is often dropped off by his parents at the GCHQ roundabout before finishing off the rest of the journey to Seasons training ground on his bike.

On his England recognition, King said: “It’s an amazing feeling to be recognised. Being at a Category Three Academy, you don’t usually get recognised by that sort of standard. It’s such an amazing feeling to be able to represent my country.”

Cheltenham, who are winless and goalless in 11 matches, will attempt to kick-start their season at home to Derby today. The Rams are currently seventh in the League One table.