Club News

Albion youngsters called up for tournaments

Record number of England youth call-ups for Albion

ALBION youngsters have been called up to represent their nations at U17s level - as the Baggies enjoy a highest-ever number of England youth call-ups.

Jonathan Leko has been called up by England for the UEFA European U17 Championship 2015/16 (Elite Round), with Tyler Roberts due to fly out with Wales to Croatia for their games against the host nation, Portugal and Sweden.

Rahis Nabi has also been put on standby for England duty at the same level, with the Three Lions set to take on Turkey on March 24 (Chesterfield, KO 7pm), Finland on March 26 (Leek, KP 3pm) and Ukraine (Burton Albion, 7pm).

Ireland and Scotland have yet to name their squads.

Elsewhere, Kane Wilson has been called up for England U16 duty, with Jamie Soule on standby.

This season has seen more Albion players called up to represent England's youth squads - from U15s onwards - than any other previous campaign since the Club acquired Academy status.

Academy manager Mark Harrison is delighted to see his youngsters rewarded.

"It's brilliant for all of the lads," said Harrison.

"To get international recognition is a great achievement but it also gives the players an opportunity to experience different cultures, different playing styles and sometimes different countries.

"Saido Berahino and George Thorne created a pathway in the past and hopefully others will follow."