Advertisement

Fulham star Ryan Sessegnon's England future to be assessed over the summer

Star on the rise | Ryan Sessegnon: Getty Images
Star on the rise | Ryan Sessegnon: Getty Images

Ryan Sessegnon's England future will be assessed after the summer.

The winger, who turned 18 on Friday, has been omitted from the World Cup squad and the Under-21s' plans for the Toulon Tournament.

He has scored 16 goals for Fulham this season, with the Cottagers chasing a Premier League return as they face Aston Villa in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final on Saturday.

That match put him out of the picture for Toulon, with England facing China the same day, but senior boss Gareth Southgate has admitted Sessegnon is in his future plans.

READ MORE: England players prepared for racial abuse

READ MORE: England youngsters in ‘matches that matter’ have Southgate looking up

READ MORE: England fatigue is inevitable, but attention to detail can help Southgate counteract it

However, he will be handled with care and Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd insists Sessegnon will not be rushed.

Boothroyd told Press Association Sport: "It's about where we put him and also where we think he can get to.

"Those are the conversations we have about individual players every three or four months when we have an audit.

"The next one is after the summer so we'll look at Ryan and look at where we picture him.

"In terms of England, he's got one Under-21 cap. He did OK, didn't pull up any trees but we know he's a wonderful player who will thrive at Fulham and certainly with us.

"He's an exceptional talent - I'm surprised he didn't get a BAFTA this week as he's got everything else. He's going to have to get the biggest sideboard known to man for all his awards.

"But the thing which excites me about him is he's so focused about what he wants to do. Nothing is going to get in his way.

"It's going to be really interesting as he's a marked man now, the best players will work it out and come through it and he will because he's an outstanding talent."