Blues midfielder Andre Dozzell has been named in the England U17s squad for the European Championships in Azerbaijan next month, while three Town players are on standby.
Dozzell, who has previously won 12 U17s caps, scoring three goals and has captained the side on a number of occasions, is due to meet up with the squad on Wednesday and will therefore miss Town’s remaining fixtures.
On standby are Blues keeper Nick Hayes, who has previously won three U17s caps, six-times-capped striker Ben Morris and uncapped schoolboy midfielder Tristan Nydam.
The England youngsters face Sweden in their opening game on Friday 6th May, then take on France three days later before completing their group matches against Denmark on Thursday 12th May. The top two teams in each group go through to the quarter-finals. Eurosport will be screening games from the tournament.
Dozzell’s previously agreed two-year professional contract will be formalised when he turns 17 on May 2nd.
Meanwhile, Town schoolboy Dylan Crowe is with the England U15s, who lost 2-0 to Qatar at the Torneo delle Nazioni in Miren, Slovenia this evening, having beaten Italy 3-2 in their opening game on Sunday.
Elsewhere, former Town right-back and one-time academy coach David Wright has been named Colchester United’s caretaker-manager for this season’s final two games following Kevin Keen’s departure in the wake of the North Essex side’s relegation to League Two.
Further to the earlier story, a team from Town’s ACP (Advanced Coaching Programme) is playing the Ipswich Wanderers Academy at Humber Doucy Lane in a friendly on Wednesday 4th May (KO 7pm) rather than a Blues Academy U16s team. Entry is £2 for adults and free for under-16s.
Photo: The FA/Getty