Flynn Downes limped off injured late on having come off the bench as an England’s U20s side also featuring Andre Dozzell lost 3-0 to the Czech Republic at Peterborough United’s London Road.
Downes, who was winning his fourth cap, came on as a sub in the second half - replacing Dozzell in the 65th minute - and worryingly for Town came off with what appeared to be a hip problem in the closing stages, forcing the Young Lions to finish the game with only 10 men.
The 20-year-old midfielder has been a key man in the Blues’ excellent start to the season, having rarely been subject to manager Paul Lambert’s rotation policy.
Downes is hobbling off for England. Weird one that as nobody appeared to be near him. Twisted something. England will finish with 10 #ENGCZE– Posh Match Day Live (@PoshMatchLive) October 14, 2019
Fellow midfielder Dozzell, also 20, started the game and won his seventh U20s cap.
England U20s: Billy Crellin (Fleetwood Town) (Tom McGill (Brighton & Hove Albion) 46), Tariq Lamptey (Chelsea) (Joel Latibeaudiere (FC Twente, loan from Manchester City) 85), Brandon Williams (Manchester United) (Ryan Giles (Shrewsbury Town, loan from Wolves) 65), Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough) (c), Nathan Ferguson (West Bromwich Albion), Lewis Gibson (Everton), Ian Poveda-Ocampo (Manchester City) (Luke Bolton (Luton Town, loan from Manchester City) 75), Andre Dozzell (Ipswich Town) (Flynn Downes (Ipswich Town) 65), Jonathan Leko (Charlton Athletic, loan from West Bromwich Albion) (Danny Loader (Reading) 75), Callum Slattery (Southampton) (Jack Clarke (Tottenham Hotspur) 65), Angel Gomes (Manchester United). Unused: Japhet Tanganga (Tottenham Hotspur), Josef Bursik (Accrington Stanley, loan from Stoke City).
Went down unchallenged holding his hip. Let’s hope it’s not too serious #ITFC https://t.co/GtaWuQuBqW pic.twitter.com/bmfBekzqtS– Mark Jubb (@mark_jubb) October 15, 2019