Academy star Coulson earns England call up

Stoke City youngster Sam Coulson has been called up to the England under-18 squad.


The first year academy centre-half has played in every Group Two under-18 match this season for the Potters and has done enough to impress national coach and former Stoke star Noel Blake.


Coulson will join up with his international teammates ahead of Wednesday`s friendly against Italy at Mansfield Town`s One Call Stadium.


Academy manager Dave Wright told Stokecityfc.com: "Sam`s been a credit to himself and the Academy - you could say he`s a model scholar.


"The fact that Sam`s a first-year scholar, going into a team of mainly second-years, and of course that it`s England, makes it extra special.


"What`s also pleasing is that Sam`s old club, Manchester City, didn`t see Sam`s potential, but we did. It`s a great reward for his and the Academy`s hard work."


Coulson isn`t the first academy starlet to be called up for their international side and Wright believes this shows how well the Academy has developed recently.

"Sam`s one of six players from the Under-18s alone who have been involved in youth international football in recent weeks.


"We had Curtis Strong and Jack Nardiello representing Wales, Ryan O`Reilly was called-up for Ireland, Dale Eve was with Bermuda and Kris Scott went away with the United States.


"We`re delighted that these players are getting recognised - it`s definitely a measure of how far we`ve come here."

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