CRYSTAL Palace midfielder Adam Wharton withdrew from the England under-21 squad as Eagles boss Oliver Glasner explained has had “some issues with his body”.
Wharton has made four appearances for Palace this season and there was surprise when he was left out of Lee Carsley’s senior England squad.
Glasner said: “Adam has had an unbelievable development here. Since he came back from the Euros he has had some issues with his body. Not big issues but a little bit here, a little bit there. It’s also why we gave him a break against Norwich. He’s not in his top fitness level and can’t be, he’s been training with us for three weeks but hasn’t been able to do every single training.
“It’s about load management and how much we can do to avoid making his problems worse and what does he need to improve his fitness levels. It’s also important to understand what happens in the life of a 20-year-old boy – eight months ago he played for Blackburn in the Championship.
“Then he was on the bench trying to win the Euros final after playing an unbelievable season. There was so much in his mind and the mind always influences the body. He’s a great player, he’s a great guy and he will be back in his best shape quickly, everybody can see how much he gives to our squad with his passing.”
England have a European under-21 qualifier away to Northern Ireland on Thursday (September 5) and a friendly at home to Austria next Monday.
