England call up Ben Chilwell after Manchester United star Luke Shaw withdraws through injury
BEN CHILWELL has been called up to the England squad to replace the crocked Luke Shaw.
Shaw hobbled out of Old Trafford after picking up a knock in Manchester United’s dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle on Saturday.
England coach Gareth Southgate has turned to Chilwell after facing a crisis at left-back with Danny Rose sustaining a groin injury for Spurs against Cardiff.
The Leicester star was initially called up for the Under-21s but is now in line to start against Croatia in the Uefa Nations League on Friday.
Chilwell, 21, made his Three Lions debut off the bench in a 1-0 win against Switzerland in September.
And Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd said: “It was a really tight decision, I know that because I was in the meeting when we were talking about it.
"Players do get injuries and you have to be ready because you don’t necessarily get the opportunity. So you’ve got to be ready.
“Ben, because of his personality, the way he works is training at full tilt every day.
"He’s grown to become Leicester’s first-choice left back and he nearly scored with his right foot on Saturday!
“Whatever it is that he’s done, maybe it’s maturity or he knows people around him want him to do well, he deserves everything he gets.
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"He’s going to be a top player I’m sure.”
Boothroyd added: “It’s great the first thing Gareth does, when a player gets injured, he looks to the 21s or the 20s and the 19s now as well.
“He is promoting young talent and for the rest of the guys in the pathway it makes our job a lot easier because they know if they do well they’ve got a chance.”
Boothroyd has replaced Chilwell with Chelsea defender Jay Dasilva, who is currently on loan at Bristol City.