Elliot Omozusi has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of fellow Norwich City loanee Ryan Bertrand by forcing his way into the England Under-21 squad.

Elliot Omozusi has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of fellow Norwich City loanee Ryan Bertrand by forcing his way into the England Under-21 squad.

The Fulham defender, on a season-long loan at Carrow Road, has played nine times for England Under-19s and forms one of the youngest full-back partnerships in league football with his international colleague from Chelsea.

Bertrand has moved up in the world with his call-up for next Friday's European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Portugal at Wembley, giving fellow 19-year-old Omozusi another target to aim for.

City boss Glenn Roeder said: “Nothing's changed my mind so far about those two full-backs. I think we've got the best two full-backs in the Championship.

“I think it's only a matter of time before Elliot will get a call for the under-21s as well and we'll have both full-backs in the under-21s.”

Omozusi believes regular first team football with the Canaries can only enhance his international prospects.

He said: “I'm happy for Ryan. It's been one of his goals so I'm happy he's got the call-up for the England Under-21 squad.

“The most important thing is getting games. You're not really going to achieve much if you're not playing, so coming along to Norwich and getting as many games as you can, hopefully you kick on and achieve some of your goals.

“Being in and around the first team squad, playing as many games as possible, coming up against different scenarios against different opposition, improves you as a player.”

Omozusi said the presence of former Fulham colleague Dejan Stefanovic in the back four had helped him settle at Carrow Road.

He said: “There's always going to be a little bit more work to be done but it is coming along nicely.

“When I started playing for Fulham I was alongside Dejan, so it's a big help for me. He's an experience lad, he's been in the game for a number of years and it can only benefit me learning from him.”

As to Roeder's prediction, he said: “It's always nice to hear compliments such as that. I hope I can repay the faith that the gaffer has put in me, putting me straight in the side, and I can keep my spot in the team.”

Bertrand also backed Omozusi's international claims, saying: “I'm surprised they haven't taken both of us. If El keeps playing the way he does he's sure to get a call-up. He's more than capable.”

The Portugal game will be his first trip to the new Wembley and he admitted: “It means everything. All the hard work has finally paid off. I hope I can impress and stay in that group. The under-21s is a really big step, one away from the first team.

“I played at the old Wembley with the Gillingham youngsters nine years ago just before the play-off final, but to go to the new Wembley and hopefully play, or even be on the bench, will be a good experience.”