Dean Henderson will be the first Sheffield United player involved in an England match day squad in 27 years later tonight.
Henderson was called up earlier this week to replace the injured Tom Heaton. The last time that happened for a Blade was Brian Deane in 1992.
As third choice goalkeeper behind Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope, Henderson is unlikely to get any game time this evening against Czech Republic. Or in Bulgaria on Monday.
Yet Henderson is still only 22-years-old and Gareth Southgate clearly thinks the stopper has a big future on the international stage.
Now, as he is on loan from Manchester United, this is technically not a call-up for the Blades. But it is Henderson’s form at his adopted club over the past two seasons that has earned him this recognition.
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Man United can claim it is another addition for them in the squad. However, those at Bramall Lane are probably feeling more pride.
Is this only the start of a link between Sheffield United and England?
(Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Unlike many club managers, Chris Wilder is outwardly supportive of his international players. When Oli McBurnie caused some controversy with his tongue-in-cheek comments about playing for Scotland, Wilder personally reached out to Steve Clarke to smooth things over.
The 51-year-old has consistently backed Henderson for an England call-up as well. No one at the Blades will be more proud it has finally happened than Wilder.
So if more calls from Southgate came, he would welcome them. And there are two standout candidates also in his squad.
The first is Jack O’Connell. We have written before about his credentials. As a coveted left-sided centre-back, O’Connell has arguably been in better form than current England player Tyrone Mings since the beginning of 2018/19.
The 25-year-old played a key role in the Championship’s joint best defence last season. This time around O’Connell has once again been dominant and only leaders Liverpool have conceded fewer Premier League goals than the Blades.
The other is John Lundstram. If there is one player who has truly enjoyed a renaissance campaign in 2019/20 it is the 25-year-old.
Limited to nine starts last term, Lundstram has already played more this time around and is yet to miss a single minute of league action.
With central midfield arguably the weakest area currently for the Three Lions, why not try something new?
