Anthony Patterson's hopes of being involved in this summer's U21 European Championship have been given a major boost after the Sunderland man was called up for England's pre-tournament training camp. Academy graduate Patterson turned 23 earlier this month but still qualifies for this summer's finals under the rules because he was born after the January 1, 2000, cut-off date.
Patterson will link up with the Young Lions provisional squad for the camp which takes place from June 7-10, and is one of four goalkeepers invited to train with the others being Manchester City's James Trafford (who has spent the season on loan at Bolton Wanderers), Brighton's Carl Rushworth (who has spent the season on loan at Lincoln City), and West Bromwich Albion's Josh Griffiths. U21 coach Lee Carsley will name his final squad on June 14 for the tournament which is being staged in Romania and Georgia and which gets under way on June 21.
England have been drawn in Group C for the initial stage of the tournament along with Germany, Israel, and the Czech Republic. Patterson took over as Sunderland's first-choice goalkeeper midway through last season when the club's two senior goalkeepers were struck down by Covid, and he helped the club achieve promotion from League One via the play-offs.
