Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones could be set for a new role at England U21s as Lee Carsley's side endure injury problems.
The 22-year-old is likely to start up front for the young Three Lions in their upcoming clash with Croatia at Craven Cottage. It comes after the former Everton midfielder has been dealt an injury blow with striker Folarin Balogun pulling out of the latest camp.
Aston Villa loanee Cameron Archer is the only recognised forward currently in the ranks with the Reds midfielder coming off the bench to score on Saturday during their 4-0 win over France. The twist comes in preparation for the upcoming European Championships in Europe but they have been in good form following wins over Italy, Germany and the aforementioned French youngsters.
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"I've not spoken to Flo since last Monday, but I will go out to France when we finish up and have a chat to him," Carsley said, via the Daily Mail, as the United States look to pledge allegiance of the on-loan Arsenal forward who has starred for Reims.
"We have to be creative. Curtis has got real good attributes. He causes a lot of problems when he does drop deep."
It isn't the first time that the 49-year-old has discussed switching positions for the Liverpool academy graduate. Last summer, the Three Lions coach expressed his belief that Jones could 'score and assist more'.
He said: "It's important to me that Curtis doesn't play within himself," he said in 2022. "He's got to be the best player every day, every game.
"I think he can score more, I think he can assist more. When he gets in front of goal, he's got that quality.
"He needs to show it on a regular basis, consistently, for us. You'd like to have this conversation at the end of the camp where you're swooning about him, saying "what a player". I still think he's building his reputation with the Under 21s in that respect.
"He's got energy, he's fast, he's got real power, he's got a real natural balance on the ball, he can take it either side," Carsley added. "He's got the ability to go either way, off either side, which is a real skill to have and an attribute of a top player.
"I expect more from him. The players that are almost your middle-of-the-road ones - when they do well, you're like "that was brilliant, well done".
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