Ipswich Town’s Omari Hutchinson and Liam Delap called up to England Under-21s with Sammie Szmodics, Dara O’Shea and Chiedozie Ogbene in Republic of Ireland squad
Ipswich Town players Omari Hutchinson and Liam Delap have both been named in the England Under-21s squad for games during the forthcoming international break which adds to eight other call-ups at the club.
The Young Lions face Northern Ireland in a UEFA U21 Championship qualifier in Ballymena, County Antrim next Friday before taking on Austria in a friendly on Monday, September 10 at Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road (both 7.45pm).
Winger or number 10 Hutchinson, who was signed from Chelsea in the summer following his successful loan period for a reported club record initial £18 million move, is in line to win his first cap at U21 level. He was previously capped by England up to U19 level while also representing Jamaica in two friendlies.
He spoke during last season of putting his international career on hold to help aid Town in reaching the Premier League.
Striker Delap, who was signed for a reported initial £15 million from Manchester City, will be looking to add to his five 21 caps and one goal.
With Lee Carsley having moved up to become interim England senior manager following Gareth Southgate’s departure, Ben Flutcher has been appointed Interim head coach.
With three fixtures to play going into the Northern Ireland game, England sit second in their qualification group, level on points with first-place Ukraine having played an extra fixture.
Trio in Ireland squad
A trio of Town’s summer signings – Sammie Szmodics, Dara O’Shea and Chiedozie Ogbene – have all been called up by Heimir Hallgrimsson to the senior Republic of Ireland squad for two Nations League games.
The first of those sees the Republic host England at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin next Saturday (5pm) before hosting Greece on Tuesday, September 10 (7.45pm) at the same venue.
Attacking midfielder or forward Szmodics, who moved to Suffolk for a reported initial £9 million fee from Blackburn Rovers, made his debut for the Emerald Isle earlier this year and is looking to add to his four caps.
Centre-back O’Dara, who cost Town a reported £12 million from Burnley after having his move confirmed at the wekened, has 26 caps behind him for the Republic.
Right-sided wide player Ogbene, who signed from Luton Town for a reported £8 million this week, ahead of making his Blues debut on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup at AFC Wimbledon, like O’Shea, has 20 caps.
Keeper called up
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Aro Muric will be another absentee from McKenna’s squad during the international break, having been called up by Kosovo.
The player signed from Burnley for a reported initial £8 million earlier in the summer, will be looking to add to his 38 caps in Nations League games against Romania and Cyprus.
Kosovo will host Romania in Pristina next Friday before a visit to Cyprus for a game in Nicosia on Monday, September 9.
Defender in Australia squad
Centre-half Cameron Burgess is also set to jet off following tomorrow’s Premier League match with Fulham at Portman Road (3pm), having been named in the Australia squad for their September World Cup qualifiers.
The Socceroos will host Bahrain on the Gold Coast next Thursday and then travel to Jakarta to face Indonesia on the following Tuesday.
It forms the opening matches of the third round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
The 28-year-old, who made his first appearance of the season at AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, has nine full caps to his name.
Meanwhile, Town’s other call-up is goalkeeper Cieran Slicker (17 caps) who has been named in the Scotland Under-21s squad for their upcoming pair of European Championship qualifiers.
The young Scots will host Spain at Heart of Midlothian’s Tynecastle next Friday before travelling to Malta on the following Tuesday.
The 10 set to be absent from Portman Road in the international break are completed by loan midfielder Jens Cajuste and Axel Tuanzebe who had both previously been announced as being called up by Sweden and the DR Congo, respectively.
