Blues News

Gray Pulls Out of England Duty

|
Image for Gray Pulls Out of England Duty

By James Burch

Birmingham City hot-shot Demarai Gray has been withdrawn from the England under 19`s for their next three European qualifiers. However to the relief of Birmingham City fans it is only a precautionary withdrawal and 18 year old Gray should still be okay to play Blues next game against Bolton Wanderers at St. Andrews a week on Saturday.

Gray who has played nine games in all competitions for Birmingham this year, scoring one goal was included in Sean O`Driscoll`s England squad for qualifiers against Belarus, Luxembourg and Belgium but Demarai Gray has been withdrawn due to an ankle problem and is currently being treated at Blues Wast Hill`s training complex to get him back to full fitness.

Birmingham born Gray has been one of Birmingham`s shining lights this season and his pacey wing play and ability to cut inside and shot at goal has made him a favourite with fans, with some already comparing him to being the next Trevor Francis. It is comforting that Gray has the maturity to understand that it is best for him to be pulled out of the England under 19 set up for the next three games so he can recuperate and recover for his domestic campaign at Birmingham and in the future I am sure Gray who already has three caps for his national side at under 18 level and one cap at under 19`s will make many more appearances for his club and country.

Gray picked up his ankle injury in the 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham on the 27th September that meant he had to be substituted on the 72nd minute and was then only played for twenty five minutes in Birmingham`s away win at Millwall and rested completely in Saturdays 1-1 draw against Millwall.

Lee Clark told the Birmingham Mail; “It was because of his ankle problem, the one that meant I had to take him off in the Fulham game. But this is just more of a precautionary thing and not too serious. That was one of the reasons we asked the FA to release him, because he was meant to be going over to play three games, which wouldn`t have been ideal. We can work on him now to get him fit.”

It is of no surprise that Birmingham City manager Lee Clark sees Gray as not only one of his stars of the future but also one of the players that can carry Blues this year and having played eight out of the eleven games played this season in the championship it is clear to see that even at an early age that Gray is one of Birmingham`s most important players.



For business enquires please click Here

Vital Birmingham on: facebook

Vital Birmingham on: twitter

Join Vital Birmingham

It’s easy to REGISTER HERE, simply click the link and enjoy getting involved!

Share this article

Still journey on