New Will Lankshear development is pointer to Middlesbrough team selection at Watford

Will Lankshear has been omitted from the England Under-21 squad for upcoming friendlies against Portugal and France. The exclusion signals that the Middlesbrough striker is unlikely to feature in the upcoming Championship match against Watford as he recovers from a muscular issue. Lankshear suffered the injury against Charlton Athletic and missed Boro's recent 2-0 defeat to Wrexham.

Manager Kim Hellberg initially hoped the forward would be fit, but Lankshear will instead remain at Rockliffe Park to rehabilitate. Boro hopes the striker, who leads the Championship with 13 goals this season, will return after the international break against Bristol City on November 21. Teammates Ashley Phillips and Amario Cozier-Duberry were selected for Lee Carsley's Under-21 squad.