James Maddison could soon be the newest member of an elite group of Norwich City players if he wins his first England Under-21 cap on Friday.

The Pink Un: Darren Eadie, pictured talking to then England manager Glenn Hoddle in May 1997, was capped at U21 level but injuries prevented senior appearances. Picture: Stuart Franklin/Action ImagesDarren Eadie, pictured talking to then England manager Glenn Hoddle in May 1997, was capped at U21 level but injuries prevented senior appearances. Picture: Stuart Franklin/Action Images (Image: Archant)

Just 16 Canaries players have previously represented the Young Lions at U21 level, the most recent being on-loan goalkeeper Angus Gunn, who has won three of his nine caps while with the Canaries.

Jacob Murphy also enjoyed a spurt of six caps earlier this year, just before becoming too old for the age-group and going on to join Newcastle in a deal worth around £11million with his profile at its peak.

Nathan Redmond is the player to have won the most England U21 caps while a Norwich player though, with all but three of his impressive haul of 38 caps being earned while he was a Canaries asset.

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The Pink Un: England's James Maddison (centre) during the U21 training session at St George's Park, Burton, on Wednesday. Picture: Nick Potts/PA WireEngland's James Maddison (centre) during the U21 training session at St George's Park, Burton, on Wednesday. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

Just two players – James Milner (46) and Nathaniel Chalobah (40) – have won more caps at U21 level for England and only three – Alan Shearer, Francis Jeffers (13) and Saido Berahino (11) – have scored more than Redmond’s 10 goals.

Chris Sutton picked up 13 caps in 1993 and 1994, scoring once, and Kevin Reeves was another striker to be capped at U21 level, nine times.

Dave Watson (1980-81) and Darren Eadie (1994-98) both won seven caps as Norwich players, with defender Watson going on to make 12 senior appearances and winger Eadie narrowly missing out on full recognition due to his knee problems.

Justin Fashanu won six caps in the early 1980s, while Dale Gordon and Robert Rosario (1987), Tim Sherwood (1993), Daryl Sutch (1992-93) and goalkeeper Andy Marshall (1995-97) were all capped on four occasions.

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In the mid-1980s Louis Donowa (three) and keeper Chris Woods (one) also won U21 caps, while midfielder Lee Marshall made a late appearance as a substitute against France in 1999.

Joe Lewis earned his first U21 call-up when he was still a Norwich player but won his two caps after he had joined Peterborough in 2008, while more recently Josh Murphy and Harry Toffolo have featured at U20 level.

Maddison may have to be patient, joining the squad for the first time ahead of an important qualifier in Ukraine (4pm), but at 20 years old he has time on his side.