Lee Carsley has promised to protect Harvey Elliott after picking the Liverpool teenager for the England under-21 squad.
Elliott was called up last September but was forced to withdraw after sustaining a serious ankle injury against Leeds United in the Premier League.
But now fit again and back on the pitch, he has earned himself an instant recall to the squad for the Three Lions' forthcoming Euro 2023 qualifiers against Andorra and Albania.
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Speaking about his selection, Carsley was full of praise for the 18-year-old. He said: “I’m excited to have Harvey back, he is someone we have rated for some time. He has shown a lot of character coming back from the injury, staying fit and breaking into the Liverpool team.
“Harvey is really talented, he has overcome a lot for such a young age: moving clubs, breaking into the Liverpool team, getting a serious injury and coming back. He has played 180 minutes so we have to make sure we are careful with him. We have a responsibility to protect these players. I’m looking forward to seeing Harvey playing some part in the games and he is an outstanding player.”
Since returning from injury, Elliott has made five appearances for the Reds, scoring once against Cardiff City in the FA Cup as a second half substitute. The youngster enjoyed a successful loan spell with Blackburn Rovers last season, making 42 appearances and scoring seven goals.
Elliott collected his first major honour with Liverpool last month, appearing as a substitute in The Reds' Carabao Cup Final victory against Chelsea, where he scored in the decisive penalty shoot-out.
Full England under 23 squad
Goalkeepers: Joe Bursik, Etienne Green, Carl Rushworth
Defenders: Lee Buchanan, Charlie Cresswell, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ben Johnson, Tariq Lamptey, Levi Samuels-Colwill, Djed Spence, Valentino Livramento, Luke Thomas
Midfielders: Tommy Doyle, Harvey Elliottt, Jimmy Garner, Morgan Gibbs White, Curtis Jones, Jacob Ramsey
Forwards: Folarin Balogun, Angel Gomes, Anthony Gordon, Keane Lewis-Potter, Noni Madueke
