Jordan Pickford is relishing a return to the England under-21 fold.
The Sunderland stopper stepped up to senior level prior to a knee injury over the festive period, training with the likes of Joe Hart and Fraser Forster under Gareth Southgate’s watchful eye.
- Pickford back in under-21 squad for the first time since October
- Called up to the senior squadin November
- Watch Pickford impress in an England crossbar challenge
After returning to David Moyes’ starting XI, where he’s once again impressed, Pickford has linked up with the Three Lions’ under-21s during the March international break.
And although he’s hoping to return to the senior set-up as soon as possible, he’s looking forward to a couple of testing friendlies and this summer’s U21 European Championships.
“I haven’t been there for a while so it’ll be nice to get a couple of games,” said Pickford.
“Hopefully we can get a couple of positive results and I can come back flying.”
He continued: “I want to go there and then comeback and focus on the rest of the season with Sunderland, but it’s always a bonus when you go away with England and like I said hopefully I can come back with some wins ahead of the Euros.
“As a whole group it [the international break] should help us because the lads who don’t go away will get a good week of training, and maybe a couple of days to freshen up as well.
“We’ll all come back flying!"
Pickford will be in action on Friday evening as the Young Lions take on Germany (KO 7pm).
