6:00am Tuesday 18th November 2008
SAINTS stars Adam Lallana and Jack Cork are hoping for England under-21 debuts when Stuart Pearce’s side take on the Czech Republic at Bramall Lane tonight, writes ADAM LEITCH.
Homegrown talent Lallana and on-loan Chelsea man Cork have been regulars in Jan Poortvliet’s Saints side this season and have done enough to attract the attentions of Pearce who is looking to give some fringe players a chance ahead of picking a squad for next summer’s European Championships in Sweden.
Both men were unused squad members for the recent play-off win over Wales but are likely to have some involvement tonight.
Cork, a former England under- 19 captain, said: “It was great to get the call-up, especially for the under-21s.
“After playing for the other England teams, it’s the next step up in my career and I’m really looking forward to getting involved and being a part of it.
“I really enjoyed it last time and hopefully this time I can get a bit of time on the pitch.”
Cork believes his experience at Saints will stand him in good stead for England duties, comparing Poortvliet’s style and system of play to that of an international team.
“I’m fortunate that at Southampton we try to play football and I think that helps,” he said.
“In a way, it’s a similar way to how the game is played at international level and that may be why there are a few of us from Southampton who have been involved.
“Some of the play has been really good at times and we have a young team so that’s what the manager wants to do, use a young team to build for the future.
“Some of the players there at the minute are really talented and will be very good players in the future.
“What the manager wants to do is to try and keep the young lads there for as long as he can and then build it into a really strong team and try to get the club back into the Premiership.
“In the last few years, they’ve had a hard time with financial troubles and stuff like that so if we can get a team playing well on the pitch, then we can try to do that.”
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