Hudson-Odoi called up to England U21 squad

Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi has been named in the England Under-21 squad for the upcoming matches against Slovenia and Austria.

Hudson-Odoi has recently returned to action following the Achilles injury he sustained towards the end of last season.

The winger is joined in Aidy Boothroyd’s squad by Chelsea team-mate Reece James, who is also back following an injury lay-off.

The duo both scored on their returns in Chelsea’s 7-1 victory over Grimsby in the Carabao Cup last week.

Tottenham goalkeeper Brandon Austin earns a first call-up for the Under-21s, while Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly also returns to the squad following an injury.

Manchester City’s Phil Foden, Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, and Arsenal duo Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson are also involved.

“We have a few players back from injury in Callum Hudson-Odoi, Reece James and Lloyd Kelly and we’re looking forward to getting back together again and we are building a strong core of players early on in the campaign,” said Boothroyd.

“The squad also has more playing minutes at club level than they might normally do at this stage of the season, which is great for us ahead of these matches.”

The Young Lions head to Maribor on October 11, before a home match in Milton Keynes against Austria four days later.

England U21 squad: Austin (Tottenham), Balcombe (Viborg), Ramsdale (Bournemouth); Aarons (Norwich), Chalobah (Huddersfield), Guehi (Chelsea), James (Chelsea), Justin (Leicester), Kelly (Bournemouth), Panzo (Cercle Bruges), Sessegnon (Fulham); Cantwell (Norwich), Davies (Everton), Foden (Manchester City), Gibbs-White (Wolves), McNeil (Burnley), Skipp (Tottenham), Willock (Arsenal); Brewster (Liverpool), Greenwood (Manchester United), Hudson Odoi (Chelsea), Nelson (Arsenal), Nketiah (Leeds)