Leeds United: Whites protege Mowatt set to skip international duty
Yorkshire Evening Post 11/12/13
by Phil Hay
Alex Mowatt is set to withdraw from the England Under-19 squad after a groin strain forced him to miss Leeds United’s victory at Charlton Athletic.
The 18-year-old was in line to make his first international appearance in a friendly between England and Hungary next week but he will spend the international break undergoing treatment on an injury sustained in training.
Mowatt’s setback prevented him from travelling to Saturday’s game at The Valley, ending a run of six successive league starts by United’s former Under-18s captain. Boss Brian McDermott appeared to rule him out of contention for England’s trip to Budapest after the clash with Charlton, saying: “I can’t see it. It’s a groin strain and we need to look after him. He got injured in training on Thursday but I had to keep that quiet.”
Michael Brown took Mowatt’s place in south London and McDermott turned to another forgotten member of United’s squad by naming Danny Pugh at wing-back. But the pair contributed to a dramatic 4-2 win at The Valley, a result which broke a streak of five straight losses away from home.
McDermott’s team selection caused surprise ahead of kick-off and there was no place in his 18-man squad for El-Hadji Diouf, Luke Varney or Noel Hunt.
But the United manager said: “I see the players day in, day out and I work with them day in day out. That’s the key for me. I see the way they train and the way they conduct themselves.
“These guys want to play for us and I go on that. It’s a gut feeling. I knew that team was right for us. It’s easy to say that after we’ve won 4-2 but I did.
“I’m delighted for Danny and for Michael Brown who’s conducted himself fabulously well.”
A sensational four-goal spree from Ross McCormack carried Leeds into the international break on the back of successive wins and gave United their first victory away from home since a 1-0 victory at Bolton Wanderers on September 14.
McDermott has faced endless questions about United’s struggle to pick up points outside Elland Road but the Leeds boss said: “That’s a day to be proud of. We didn’t do well at Millwall or Derby and we were well beaten by them.
“We were a little bit naive at Huddersfield to say the least but we weren’t naive this time.”
McDermott also praised referee Keith Stroud for allowing Saturday’s match to start half-an-hour late after twice inspecting a pitch soaked by pouring rain.
“It was a great game of football and therefore the referee was spot on,” McDermott said.
“He didn’t panic.
“At half past one it looked like it was going to be a struggle but as they went out again at quarter past two, I thought we could get the game going – as long as it didn’t rain again.”
by Phil Hay
Alex Mowatt is set to withdraw from the England Under-19 squad after a groin strain forced him to miss Leeds United’s victory at Charlton Athletic.
The 18-year-old was in line to make his first international appearance in a friendly between England and Hungary next week but he will spend the international break undergoing treatment on an injury sustained in training.
Mowatt’s setback prevented him from travelling to Saturday’s game at The Valley, ending a run of six successive league starts by United’s former Under-18s captain. Boss Brian McDermott appeared to rule him out of contention for England’s trip to Budapest after the clash with Charlton, saying: “I can’t see it. It’s a groin strain and we need to look after him. He got injured in training on Thursday but I had to keep that quiet.”
Michael Brown took Mowatt’s place in south London and McDermott turned to another forgotten member of United’s squad by naming Danny Pugh at wing-back. But the pair contributed to a dramatic 4-2 win at The Valley, a result which broke a streak of five straight losses away from home.
McDermott’s team selection caused surprise ahead of kick-off and there was no place in his 18-man squad for El-Hadji Diouf, Luke Varney or Noel Hunt.
But the United manager said: “I see the players day in, day out and I work with them day in day out. That’s the key for me. I see the way they train and the way they conduct themselves.
“These guys want to play for us and I go on that. It’s a gut feeling. I knew that team was right for us. It’s easy to say that after we’ve won 4-2 but I did.
“I’m delighted for Danny and for Michael Brown who’s conducted himself fabulously well.”
A sensational four-goal spree from Ross McCormack carried Leeds into the international break on the back of successive wins and gave United their first victory away from home since a 1-0 victory at Bolton Wanderers on September 14.
McDermott has faced endless questions about United’s struggle to pick up points outside Elland Road but the Leeds boss said: “That’s a day to be proud of. We didn’t do well at Millwall or Derby and we were well beaten by them.
“We were a little bit naive at Huddersfield to say the least but we weren’t naive this time.”
McDermott also praised referee Keith Stroud for allowing Saturday’s match to start half-an-hour late after twice inspecting a pitch soaked by pouring rain.
“It was a great game of football and therefore the referee was spot on,” McDermott said.
“He didn’t panic.
“At half past one it looked like it was going to be a struggle but as they went out again at quarter past two, I thought we could get the game going – as long as it didn’t rain again.”