England decision increases Will Lankshear concerns as Middlesbrough duo get call up

Middlesbrough striker Will Lankshear has been left out of the England Under-21 squad due to an ongoing injury, increasing doubts over his availability for Middlesbrough's clash at Watford. Lankshear suffered the leg injury after scoring twice against Charlton and subsequently missed Boro's defeat against Wrexham. Manager Kim Hellberg noted the issue is not overly serious and hopes to have him back following the upcoming international break.

While Lankshear missed out on selection, Middlesbrough teammates Amario Cozier-Duberry and Ashley Phillips were both included in Lee Carsley's England Under-21 squad. Additionally, Sebastian Berhalter received a call-up to the United States national team, though fellow Boro players Aidan Morris and Max Arfsten were left out.