Leicester’s Demarai Gray urged to copy Jesse Lingard and become first-choice for club and country
England's interim Under-21s boss Aidy Boothroyd says Foxes star can use Man United ace as inspiration
DEMARAI GRAY has been urged to turn from a skinny little thing into big Jesse.
The Leicester starlet is set to feature for England Under-21s in their final Euro 2017 qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina at Walsall tomorrow night.
He ensured the Young Lions have already booked their place at next summer’s tournament in Poland by netting in their 1-0 win in Kazakhstan on Thursday.
Now interim boss Aidy Boothroyd wants him to follow in the footsteps of former U-21 star Jesse Lingard – who made his full Three Lions debut in the 2-0 win over Malta on Saturday after forcing his way into the Manchester United squad.
Boothroyd, who has been moved up from the U-20s to the U-21s while Gareth Southgate is in charge of the seniors, said of Gray: “I can remember 18 months ago, he came to Toulon with us as a little, skinny thing from Birmingham and he has grown - physically, mentally and he has matured really well.
“He looks a real threat, he is a very good player and we will make the most of it. The main thing about him is that he is a worker.
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“He wants to get better and improve his game and he is a real handful. He wants to know, wants to have a look at his clips, wants to see what he does in training.
“When you have that sort of mentality and a hard work ethic, you have got a really good chance.
“You have to look at some of the players who have played in the U-21 group and have pushed on to bigger and better things in terms of their clubs and at senior level as well.
“Jesse Lingard is a good example - he was playing for the 21s, was out of his club side, got back in his club side, was outstanding against Malta and has sort of put himself right there in Gareth’s thoughts.
“That is the positive thing about when it is all as joined up as it is right now.”