‘We’re just looking after him’ – City ace fit for homecoming as England U21s take on Austria
Norwich City defender Max Aarons trained with the England U21s at Stadium MK yesterday Picture: Tim Goode/PA Wire - Credit: PA
There will be a homecoming for Max Aarons in Milton Keynes this evening, with the Norwich City right-back hoping to feature as the England Under-21s take on Austria.
The 19-year-old was born in London but raised in Milton Keynes, coming through the youth system at Luton Town before joining City's academy at 16 years old.
His rise to prominence has been so rapid that Aarons is set to win his fourth cap at U21 level, as the Young Lions look to build on wins over Turkey and Kosovo in their opening Group Three games - with Austria top after winning all three of their qualifiers so far.
The Canaries prospect was one of four front-line players withdrawn at half-time of Friday's friendly in Slovenia, when leading 1-0, only to concede two late goals to draw 2-2.
U21s boss Aidy Boothroyd confirmed that was nothing to do with Aarons' recent ankle injury ahead of tonight's game (7.45pm) though, saying: "He's fine. I just wanted to change it up. When you're in that wing-back role you're up and down that pitch.
"Two games in a short space of time and with the injury, we're just looking after him."
And Boothroyd pointed out that Aarons joins a couple of England's senior players in having links to Milton Keynes.
Canaries right-back Max Aarons was the man in the middle during England U21 training in Milton Keynes Picture: Tim Goode/PA Wire - Credit: PA
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"It's funny - Max is from MK and Ben Chilwell too. Dele Alli as well," he added. "It'll be nice for Max. There are a few vying for tickets. Hopefully we can get more than 12,000 and a really strong crowd here."
Elsewhere this evening, Teemu Pukki and Finland will be looking to take a step closer to Euro 2020 qualification when they host Armenia (5pm UK time).
The Finns slipped to a 4-1 loss in Bosnia & Herzegovina on Saturday but victory in Turku would leave them in a very strong position in second place in Group J.
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Josip Drmic and Switzerland host the Republic of Ireland (7.45pm) knowing that they need to win in Geneva to keep their hopes of qualification alive in Group D.
Young striker Adam Idah is in Iceland with the Republic of Ireland U21s ahead of a Euro qualifier (4pm) and defender Rocky Bushiri, on loan at Blackpool, is with Belgium U21s ahead of a home qualifier against Moldova (7pm).
- The England U21s' game at Stadium MK is being shown live on BT Sport.
