Midfielder Andre Dozzell could win his first England U20s cap this evening when the Young Lions take on Italy in an U20s Elite League game at AFC Fylde’s Mill Farm having replaced team-mate Trevoh Chalobah in the squad. The on-loan Chelsea man has been withdrawn after suffering a minor knock at Swansea on Saturday.

Dozzell and team-mate Flynn Downes, both 19, initially joined up with the squad only to train but the former Copleston High School pupil has been elevated to the main party and may well make his U20s bow against the Azzurri this evening.

The midfielder made his first Town start of the campaign in the 3-2 win at Swansea on Saturday after returning to the senior side as a sub in the 2-0 Middlesbrough defeat earlier in the week having been out since the opening day of last season when he tore a cruciate knee ligament. Dozzell has previously won caps at U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels.

Chalobah, also 19, won his first England U20s cap last month in the 3-1 defeat to Holland in a friendly in Katwijk, while Downes is yet to play at U20 level.

Following today’s game, the England youngsters face the Czech Republic in another Elite League match on Monday in Budejovice.

As revealed earlier in the week, Blues U18s assistant manager Kieron Dyer is part of head coach Paul Simpson’s staff for the current get-together and the next few training camps.

Meanwhile, it's been announced that former Town manager Joe Royle, 69, and his son Darren will join the board of Wigan Athletic following the completion of their takeover by a Hong Kong-based consortium.

Photo: TWTD

JewellintheTown added 10:26 - Oct 11 Good luck, lad and hope he gets a bit of game time, as long as he doesn't come back injured. As much as I like Chalobah and wish him well, it's nicer that we've got a permanent squad player who might get some action, especially a home grown one with such long standing family and club history. Well done, show 'em what you've got.
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pazzy added 10:36 - Oct 11 great young player just like his dad
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itfchorry added 11:08 - Oct 11 Suffolk n Proud
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Suffolkboy added 11:42 - Oct 11 A robust tribute to our structured talent spotting and training programme .Special congratulations to AD ,but also to Brian Klug and hie staff ! I do hope this signals to PH & CD that there's home grown talent to be given primary consideration ! I wonder what's become of T Nydam who doesn't seem to be getting regular game time in Scotland ; it did look as if he'd demonstrated enough to actually be here in Town -- lets all hope PH is watching over the situation with interest AND care ! Up the Blues !

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RoyalAscotBlue added 12:16 - Oct 11 Good news but 45 mins maximum please. Don't want Andre doing too much, or worse getting injured. It's just a friendly game so please don't take any untoward risks. We have waited a long time to get him back out on the field in a Town shirt. Now that we have him back playing let's try and keep him playing.
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Northstander_Blue added 14:52 - Oct 11 Is it on tv
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:58 - Oct 11 Well done Andre. Take care though!
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Monkey_Blue added 17:00 - Oct 11 Hopefully he does... good for his fitness if anything else. Also that pass to sears early in the Swansea game is exactly why he should have been at least on the bench for us weeks ago
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Simmo79 added 22:05 - Oct 11 I thought Paul Hurst was protecting him from injury and now he goes to England u20s ! Good luck to the lad and hopefully he starts playing more reqular for us.
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carsey added 06:30 - Oct 12 Hope he doesn't get injured he's far too important to town.
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