Middlesbrough FC star Amario Cozier-Duberry's England recall explained by U21s boss Lee Carsley
England Under-21s boss Lee Carsley has explained why Middlesbrough’s Amario Cozier-Duberry is back on the youth international scene
Amario Cozier-Duberry’s step up to the Championship with Middlesbrough has helped him return to the youth international scene with England.
The 21-year-old, who is on loan at Middlesbrough from Brighton & Hove Albion, has previously been capped by the Three Lions at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels.
He spent last season on loan at Bolton Wanderers in League One and his dazzling displays did not manage to secure him any more youth caps.
However, he will spend the current international break away from the Riverside having landed his maiden England Under-21s call-up.
Amario Cozier-Duberry’s recall
Explaining his absence last season and return to the Three Lions system this term, England Under-21s boss Lee Carsley said: “I think he’s started really well [with Middlesbrough]. I think he had a good season last season also. It was a bit of a challenge calling him up [at Bolton] because of the amount of players that they would have needed to be in internationals to get their game cancelled.
“It was always about getting the balance right between him coming away and maybe potentially not playing, but then missing games and struggling to get back into the team. We’ve tried to get that balance right, having a conversation with him now he’s in a position where he can compete.
“It’s a very difficult squad to get into, especially in those wider areas, but he more than deserves this call-up that he’s got, with his contributions for Middlesbrough so far. He’s an exciting player.”
Lee Carsley on Will Lankshear
Alongside Cozier-Duberry in the under-21s set-up are his club teammates Ashley Phillips and Will Lankshear. The latter has previously been called up for under-21s duty but remains uncapped.
Carsley said: “He’s (Lankshear) been called up before, he’s just not played yet. He’s obviously playing a bit of a different style to what he played at Oxford, which means that we’ll probably see more of Will.
“His goalscoring record at present is very impressive. He’s getting minutes and he’s playing with a lot of confidence. Obviously, moving to a club for a bit of money as well puts a different kind of pressure on him. But he’s had a good few days for himself.”