Reading ‘keeper doesn’t have to leave to play for England.
Reading boss, Nigel Adkins, has told Alex McCarthy that he doesn’t have to leave Reading to be considered for the England national team, according to The Express.
Even with relegation looming, the new Royals manager has said that the 23-year-old can realise his international ambitions from the Championship.
Adkins likened McCarthy to Jack Butland, who has earned international honours from the second tier with Birmingham City. “I was at the goalkeeping conference at the weekend at St George’s Park and Jack Butland spoke. He has an England call-up and he played for Birmingham in the Championship,” he said.
“The important thing for Alex is that he wants to be playing.”
McCarthy, who has three under-21 caps, was set to earn his first call up to the men’s team in November when he collided with a post during a game against QPR. He underwent surgery in December and was thought to be out for the rest of the season but he returned for the goalless draw against Liverpool last weekend.
And McCarthy has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool as Brendan Rodgers continues to seek a replacement for Pepe Reina.
The Guildford born custodian began his career at Reading in 2007 but has played for eight different clubs on loan in that time. He has been the first choice keeper at Reading this season, displacing Adam Federici early on in the campaign.