Earthy earns maiden England U21 call-up

Bristol City loan midfielder George Earthy has been called up to the England Under-21 squad for the first time after a series of withdrawals due to either injury or transitions into the senior squad.

The 20-year-old, who had initially been named in the England Elite Development Squad, is on loan from Premier League club West Ham United and has made eight Championship appearances for the Robins since joining in August.

Having sustained an ankle injury earlier this season, Earthy has gradually earned more playing time for the Robins and started their past two Championship fixtures against Sheffield United and Norwich City.

Earthy is joined by Norwich’s Kellen Fisher and Newcastle United’s Lewis Miley for their maiden call-ups.

Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jack Hinshelwood have withdrawn from Ben Futcher's squad due to injury.

Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, Newcastle's Tino Livramento, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Burnley's James Trafford were also originally named in the U21 set-up but have since been promoted to the senior England group.