England Under-21s blow as red-hot Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun forced to pull out of squad for France & Croatia games
FOLARIN BALOGUN has withdrawn from the England Under 21’s squad through injury.
Lee Carsley’s side face France and Croatia in friendlies on Saturday and Tuesday.
But the YAoung Lions will be without red-hot striker Balogun.
An England U21s squad update revealed the 21-year-old reported an injury following Stade de Reims’ 2-1 loss to Marseille on Sunday.
Arsenal loanee Balogun scored and played the whole 90 minutes in the match.
Jarrad Branthwaite, on loan at PSV Eindhoven from Everton, has also withdrawn from the squad with an injury.
Balogun’s absence comes as a blow to boss Carsley, with the young striker in fine form this season.
He has netted 18 goals in 29 games in all competitions on loan from the Gunners.
The forward also has netted seven times in 13 appearances for England U21s.
New York born Balogun has represented both England and the USA at youth level.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
He is also eligible to play for Nigeria.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on the in form striker, with Balogun confirming that talks on his Arsenal future will take place in the summer.
Balogun told Sky Sports: “It’s really positive that he could say these things and I mean I’m sure we’ll speak at the end of the season and we’ll have a lot of things to discuss.
“But it’s nice that he’s watching and paying attention to what’s going on.
“There’s discussions that need to take place and it’s not a decision that will only be with me.
“The club will let me know their point of view and I’m sure we’ll come to an agreement.”