ALEX SCOTT is pushing through the pain barrier to deliver more European glory for our country.
The Bournemouth star suffered a fractured jaw after being caught by the elbow of Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings last month.
ShutterstockAlex Scott is wearing a specialised mask for England at the Euros[/caption]
GettyThe Bournemouth star suffered a fractured jaw after being caught by Tyrone Mings’ elbow[/caption]
He had to wear a chin strap when he came off the bench for the final few seconds of the Cherries’ final day victory over Leicester.
Now Scott revealed he has had a specialised one designed for the Under-21 European Championship.
So far he has produced one goal and an assist to help the Young Lions reach the semi-finals — and he is adamant that it is causing him no issues at all.
The 21-year-old said: “It’s honestly been fine. Before I had a different mask, which was a lot tougher to wear.
“I tried it out in a few sessions before we came to Slovakia. Thankfully the staff with England managed to do everything they could to get me a new one fitted.
“I’ve adapted to it well. It gets sweaty so, throughout the games, I try to take it off as much as I can. But it’s been fine.”
Bournemouth forked out £20million to Bristol City for Scott in 2023. That came 12 months after the midfielder starred for England U19s as they lifted the Euros — coincidentally also in Slovakia.
He came on as sub to equalise against Italy in that semi in June 2022 to spark a 2-1 comeback victory.
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Ahead of today’s last-four clash with Holland, Scott recalled: “We’ve got a lot of players here who played in that game.
“At first I was a bit annoyed at the start on the bench, but I was ready to come on and make an impact. One of my first touches I managed to score.”
Those U19s repeated that trick after falling behind to Israel in the final to triumph 3-1 and lift the trophy.
Scott, one of six men from that squad included in Lee Carsley’s current crop, said: “It’s one of my proudest moments of my career so far.
“It is any time that I’ve been away with England, but to win a tournament was really special.
“That brings experience as well. Like I said, a few of my lads have been there and done it.
“I know what it takes to win a major tournament. So we’re looking forward to the game against Holland now.
AFPAlex Scott scored the equaliser against Italy in the 2022 semi at the U19 Euros[/caption]
“Hopefully we can take that experience we have and take it into this.”
And while Scott wants to create another piece of history, he and his team-mates are also hoping to replicate the England team from 1982 and 1984 by winning back-to-back U21 Euros.
Scott added: “It’s all about now for us and the hunger to win this tournament.
“Two years ago they won it, so that’s a bit of pressure on us, as there always is for England at tournaments.
“The group we have, the games we’ve played at all levels, Premier League, Championship, there’s not a lot of pressure we feel as players. Hopefully we can win.”
England’s Under-21 Euros squad in FULL
ENGLAND are looking to retain their status as Under-21 European champions this summer in Slovakia.
Here is Lee Carsley’s full squad for the blockbuster tournament:
Goalkeepers: James Beadle (Brighton and Hove Albion), Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Chelsea), Tommy Simkin (Stoke City)
Defenders: Charlie Cresswell (FC Toulouse), Ronnie Edwards (Southampton), CJ Egan-Riley (Burnley), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Brooke Norton Cuffy (Genoa), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Archie Gray (Tottenham Hotspur), Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough), Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton and Hove Albion), Tyler Morton (Liverpool), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth)
Forwards: Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich Town), Sam Iling Jnr (Aston Villa), James McAtee (Manchester City), Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal), Jonathan Rowe (Marseille), Jay Stansfield (Birmingham City)
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