Having been overlooked by Gareth Southgate for England's upcoming Nations League matches, Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has been named in the Under-21 squad for the Young Lions' friendlies against Italy and Germany later this month.
The midfielder forced his way into the senior England national team last season after starring out on loan at Crystal Palace and earned four caps. However, despite playing six times for Chelsea in the early weeks of the current campaign, Gallagher wasn't picked by Southgate in what is his final squad ahead of the World Cup, which begins in November.
Having only celebrated his 22nd birthday in February, Gallagher is still eligible to represent the Under-21s until next summer. And Young Lions head coach Lee Carsley expects the Chelsea academy graduate to make his mark during the international break.
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Carsley said: "We welcome Conor Gallagher back to the group, which is another example of us having a fluid pathway across our national teams. I know Conor will take to the pitch with as much pride in wearing an England shirt for the U21s as he would for the seniors.
"He – like all of our players - can continue to take comfort in the fact that Gareth will always keep one eye on their progress; there is no glass ceiling."
Also named in the Under-21 squad is Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, who is currently out on loan at Brighton. The centre-back has made just three appearances thus far for the Seagulls – ironically under now Blues head coach Graham Potter – and is yet to start a Premier League game.
England Under-21 squad
Goalkeepers: Joe Bursik (Stoke City), Josh Griffiths (Portsmouth, loan from West Bromwich Albion), James Trafford (Bolton Wanderers, loan from Manchester City)
Defenders: Max Aarons (Norwich City), Charlie Cresswell (Millwall, loan from Leeds United), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Burnley, loan from Manchester City), Luke Mbete (Huddersfield Town, loan from Manchester City), Levi Colwill (Brighton & Hove Albion, loan from Chelsea), Ryan Sessegnon (Tottenham Hotspur), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Thomas (Leicester City)
Midfielders: Tommy Doyle (Sheffield United, loan from Manchester City), Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), James Garner (Everton), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), James McAtee (Sheffield United, loan from Manchester City), Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa), Oliver Skipp (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Folarin Balogun (Stade de Reims, loan from Arsenal), Rhian Brewster (Sheffield United), Angel Gomes (Lille), Anthony Gordon (Everton), Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford), Cole Palmer (Manchester City)
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