Jordan Pickford: Sunderland keeper called into England squad after Burnley skipper Tom Heaton pulls out with injury
Highly-rated Pickford was going to join up with U21s but Gareth Southgate thought it would be better for him to get experience with the seniors
JORDAN PICKFORD has been called into the England senior squad for the first time to replace Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
The Sunderland youngster will join up with the Three Lions and travel to Slovenia on Monday for the next day’s World Cup qualifier.
Pickford, aged 22, is somewhat of a surprise replacement after he withdrew from the Under-21 squad with a thigh injury just a week ago.
The knock, however, has healed quicker than expected and England chiefs were considering inviting him to be part of the squad for U21s’ final qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.
But after Aidy Boothroyd’s side secured qualification for next summer’s Euros with a 1-0 win over Kazakhstan last week, it was deemed better to keep Newcastle youngster Freddie Woodman with the group.
The Football Association confirmed the news via Twitter late on Sunday after SunSport had revealed it earlier in the evening.
An FA spokesman said that 30-year-old Heaton's withdrawal was down to "a minor injury" and it is believed he was sent home as a precaution.
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Pickford is well-known to England chief Gareth Southgate and has been a regular in the U21 squad over the last year.
Although unlikely to win his first cap due to the presence of first-choice stopper Joe Hart and Southampton’s Fraser Forster, his senior call caps what has been a fine start to the season for the impressive youngster.
Despite Sunderland’s struggles in the Premier League, Pickford has produced several outstanding displays for the Black Cats.
Having been thrust into the first-team due to regular No1 Vito Mannone’s long-term elbow injury, Pickford has started seven matches for David Moyes’ side.
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