Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale backed to help turn Blades’ season around by England Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd

The goalkeeper is yet to keep a clean sheet, with his new club Sheffield United winless and bottom of the Premier League.

He will be rested for Tuesday’s final Euro 2021 qualifier against Albania at Molineux with Stoke’s Josef Bursik, on loan at Doncaster, starting as the Young Lions have already reached next year’s tournament.

Ramsdale returned to Bramall Lane from Bournemouth for £18.5m in the summer and Boothroyd expects him to find his form.

He said: “Joe is going to start he game but I spoke to Aaron at length and let me be clear he is on our No 1, on and off the pitch. He is a brilliant guy to have around.

“He has had a bit of a tough time at the minute but I’m sure him and his club will turn the corner.

“He has got exactly the right character, he is going to be a top goalkeeper and we are really lucky to have him.”

Record England Under-21s goalscorer Eddie Nketiah will skipper the side while Rhian Brewster, Ebere Eze and Marc Guehi have returned to their clubs as a precaution following injury.

The Young Lions have already won Group Three to qualify for next year’s tournament in Hungary and Slovenia and no risks are being taken.

Boothroyd added: “They are injuries we have to monitor. If there was a cup final tomorrow all three would play but such is the nature of this season and the loading of the players it’s the right thing to do for those guys not to take any risks.

“It’s the right thing to do in order to get the players right for those clubs. The players are the most important.

“We have to work together to get the loading right. We want to be performing well and winning but it’s important the players are fit and healthy.”

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