Leicester City starlet told to follow Manchester United forward if he wants senior call-up

Interim England under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd worked with Demarai Gray when he was just “a little skinny thing from Birmingham” but this week he told Leicester City’s rising star to emulate Jesse Lingard and secure a senior call-up.

Gray worked with Boothroyd at England Under-20 level last summer and has since gone on to become a regular in the Leicester City squad and make the step up to under-21 level, where the former Watford boss is now interim manager in the absence of Gareth Southgate.

The 20-year-old scored his first goal for the under-21s in their 1-0 victory in Kazakhstan on Thursday and booked their place at next year’s European Championships in Poland in the process.

A couple of days later former under-21 star Jesse Lingard made his senior debut in England’s 2-0 win over Malta.

England Under-21 interim manager Aidy Boothroyd. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

And Boothroyd said: “They (Leicester) have proved that anything is possible. When you look at some of the players who have played in the under-21 group, they have pushed on to bigger and better things in terms of their clubs and at senior level as well.

“Obviously Gareth, who is in the job for the next couple of months, knows that better than anybody. Jesse Lingard is a good example – was playing for the under-21s, was out of his club side, got back in his club side, was outstanding against Malta and has put himself right there in Gareth’s thoughts.

“I can remember 18 months ago, Demarai came to Toulon with us as a little skinny thing from Birmingham and he has grown, physically, mentally and he has matured really well.”