Callum Hudson Odoi has England at heart despite Ghana interest – England U-21 coach boss Lee Carsley

England Under-21s manager, Lee Carsley has said Callum Hudson Odoi is still committed to the Three Lions despite Ghana interest.

The Chelsea winger has been left out of a second consecutive Under-21s squad to focus on getting back into the Chelsea side.

The winger has managed just 82 minutes in the Premier League so far this season and has been an unused substitute in all bar one League game so far

The 20-year-old was omitted from the England Under-21s squad last month while discussions over a loan switch to Borussia Dortmund were ongoing, though Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel blocked that move on deadline day in August.

Hudson-Odoi is also eligible to play for Ghana and there have been reports that the Chelsea academy graduate is considering a switch.

Asked about Hudson-Odoi’s absence, Carsley said: “It remains the same, Callum will remain at Chelsea and try to get it the Chelsea team.

“We have spoken to him to see how he’s getting on and how he is feeling, so has Gareth so there’s no real change there.”

Pressed on whether there were concerns over a switch to Ghana, Carsley said that had no been suggested in talks.

“No intentions or suggestions were made with that regard,” he said.

“As far as we are concerned Callum is still committed to England and we are looking forward to having him back at some point.”

Hudson Odoi has been linked to play for Ghana national team for the past months following his visit in the West African country.

Hudson-Odoi is the son of former Hearts of Oak midfielder Bismark Odoi.

He has been a long-term target of the Ghana Football Association to consider a nationality switch despite capping three times for England at the senior level.

Despite having made three competitive appearances for England’s senior team, Hudson-Odoi, 20, meets the FIFA criteria for switching countries.

A player can make up to three competitive appearances and still switch allegiance, so long as they were made under the age of 21 and were not at the ‘final stage’ of a tournament

Hudson-Odoi’s failure to make Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad therefore means he has yet to appear for England’s senior team at a major tournament, although he did feature at the European U21 Championships in March.