Arsenal defender Jenkinson commits international future to England
Carl Jenkinson has decided to play international football for England rather than Finland after training with the Three Lions and speaking with national team boss Roy Hodgson, the BBC has reported. The Arsenal defender has previously played for the Finnish U-21 side and will need clearance from FIFA before making his senior bow.
Jenkinson has caught the eye of the England backroom team this season with his performances for the Gunners, deputising with style for the injured Bacary Sagna in both the Premier League and the Champions League, causing Hodgson to attempt to tie down the 20-year-old’s long-term international future.
An injury to Tottenham Hotspur defender Kyle Walker saw Hodgson invite Jenkinson to train with the England squad ahead of their World Cup qualification match against Poland, despite Jenkinson not yet being eligible to play for England.
But Jenkinson has told Hodgson he wants to be a full England international despite having represented Finland, the country of his mother, at youth level. Hodgson said: “He had to make a decision because we're very interested in him, even if the competition is tougher to get him into the England team rather than the Finland team. He made it very clear he wanted to play for England.”
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