Charlie Cresswell is ready to be England Under-21s' man in the mask, just two months after fearing his dreams of European glory were over. Leeds defender Cresswell suffered a fractured eye socket in April while on loan at Millwall after an aerial challenge with West Brom's Daryl Dike.
But a protective mask means Cresswell can line up for the young Lions when they begin their European Championship campaign against the Czech Republic in Georgia on Thursday.
"When I pulled it out on the first day, the England boys were all calling me Batman," said the 20-year-old. "I'm not going to sit here and lie and say I wasn't worried I was going to miss it, because I was. It was a nasty one. I had surgery and I had double vision.
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"The surgeon told me that would all go away and it did after a couple of weeks. Now I feel as fit as ever and the mask is just for a bit of protection. It was scary times, but I feel good.
"It was the last minute of a game. It was the 97th minute against West Brom. Daryl Dike's gone up and elbowed me, but that's part of football, isn't it? He didn't mean it. I'm pretty sure I've put my weight around all season as well.
"He messaged one of my team-mates, Callum Styles, because he used to play with him at Barnsley. That was nice of him. I've had the mask moulded to my face. They've made big enough eye sockets so I can see out of it so it's causing me no problems.
"When you're in the game, you don't really think about the mask. You just think about the game. It's been no issue, really."
Lee Carsley's side are looking to end a pretty dismal run at the Euros, with England's last win at the tournament coming back in 1984.
"Obviously you've got to back yourself and your team, but we know it's not going to be easy," added Cresswell. "International football is a different type of challenge and it's one we're ready to take in our stride. Hopefully we can come home with the trophy."
