England Player Asks To Be Left Out Of Squad After Approach From Other Country

Brighton star Tariq Lamptey asked to be left out of the England Under 21 squad after an approach to change international allegiance to Ghana.

Following the conclusion of the domestic season, England's young guns have four games coming in quick succession in June, with UEFA European Under 21 Championship qualifiers against Czech Republic, Albania, Kosovo and Slovenia.

But Lamptey will not be part of Lee Carsley's squad for the quartet of fixtures after requesting he be omitted.

The right-back, who came through the Chelsea youth academy, has played 20 times for England at various youth levels.

However, he is eligible to play for Ghana and was contacted by the African nation back in July 2020 after an impressive run of form for Brighton.

The Black Stars are desperate to have him figure for them at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and Carsley has admitted Lamptey asked for a bit of head space.

“He’s had an approach. It’s something he’s considering at the minute.

“He’s asked to be left out of the squad for a bit of head space. He’s not switched, it’s not cemented or anything like that. But he’s had an approach (from Ghana), we have to respect that.

"We’ve made it clear how important we see him to us. I know the seniors have as well. It’s not something that we’ve given up on. Tariq is fully aware of how important we see him. I have rung him every day!

"I probably shouldn't have, I probably pushed him. You can only make it clear so many times. He knows where we stand with him. We respect he's got a decision to make."

The problem for Lamptey in the England set-up is that the squad is incredibly well-stocked with right-backs at the moment, with Kyle Walker, Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier all regulars.

Then there's the likes of Kyle Walker-Peters and James Justin, who have also been in the mix of late.

And the Under 21 side also has strong options, with Lamptey rivalled by Ben Johnson, Djed Spence and Max Aarons for the right-back position.