Stoke City old boy misses out on England U21 squad for Euro finals

Joe Bursik is not included in the England Under-21 squad for this summer’s European Championships.

The goalkeeper played a big role in helping England reach the finals but has suffered with injuries since leaving Stoke City for Club Brugge in January. Now aged 22 but still eligible for selection – this competition is for players who are born on or after January 1, 2000 – he will not travel to Georgia and Romania.

Lee Carsley has named three keepers in his 23-man squad; West Bromwich Albion’s Josh Griffiths, who spent the first half of last season on loan at Portsmouth, Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carl Rushworth, who has just had a loan at Lincoln City; and Manchester City’s James Trafford, who starred on loan at Bolton, also in League One.

Former Stoke loan defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis is included fresh from helping Burnley win the Championship title on loan from Manchester City. Charlie Cresswell, the son of Stoke promotion winner Richard, is also named after spending the season on loan at Millwall from Leeds.

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England start their group stage against Czech Republic on June 22 (5pm) before games against Israel (June 25, 5pm) and Germany (June 28, 5pm).

They won eight out of 10 games in qualifying and Bursik, who helped England under-17s reach the Euros final in 2017, has 10 caps at under-21s level.