Norwich City Defender Withdraws From England Elite Squad

Norwich City left-back Ben Chrisene has withdrawn from the England Elite (U20s) squad with an injury.

The 20-year-old was included in Paul Nevin’s Young Lions squad for upcoming matches against Turkey and Romania in the Elite U20 League during the current international break but has opted to pull out with the FA citing injury as the reason.

Chrisene limped out of City’s first Championship win over Coventry at the weekend and was replaced by Jose Cordoba. Millwall’s Calum Scanlon has replaced the Norwich defender after formally withdrawing from the squad before linking up ahead of travelling to Turkey this week.

Discussing Chrisene’s late withdrawal after appearing to be struggling towards the end of City’s 1-0 victory over Coventry, Johannes Hoff Thorup said: “He was tired and was about to cramp just like some of the other players.

“It’s the sort of game where you’re on the touchline towards the end of the game where you cannot do too many subs too early because you have to save some for the last five minutes. You could also see Borja Sainz ran out of energy towards the end. That is how it was.”

City duo Kellen Fisher and new signing Kaide Gordon will feature for the Young Lions over this period after being named as replacements for Ryan Andrews, who will join up with the squad late, and Omari Kellyman respectively.

Kaide Gordon was a deadline day addition for Norwich City from Liverpool.

Kaide Gordon was a deadline day addition for Norwich City from Liverpool. (Image: Norwich City FC)

Norwich moved late to secure Gordon on a season-long loan from Liverpool after sanctioning the permanent departure of academy graduate Abu Kamara to Hull in a deal that could rise above £5m.

England Elite, formerly under-20s, are being managed by Nevin on an interim basis after Gareth Southgate’s resignation and the subsequent reshuffling of youth setups after Lee Carsley became Three Lions boss as the search for a permanent replacement continues.

Nevin’s side travel to Istanbul to play Turkiye on Friday, September 6 (5pm BST), before welcoming the Romanians to Edgeley Park, Stockport, the following Tuesday (7pm BST).