Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Nathan Fraser has reportedly turned down a call-up to the Ireland under-21 squad for their upcoming friendlies against England and Croatia.
The Irish Sun reports that the 19-year-old has rejected the invitation, instead wishing to concentrate on preparing for the next season of club football.
Fraser also turned down a call-up back in March, but at that time Ireland under-21 boss Jim Crawford explained that the youngster was the only fit striker at Wolves, and he was eyeing opportunities to play upcoming games for the Premier League outfit.
"He certainly is a bit apprehensive about being injured, he sees an FA Cup game this weekend against Coventry, there’s a strong possibility he will start, and their next Premier League game is against Aston Villa, a massive derby," said Crawford back in March. “He does think over the next while he will get Premier League experience, which is great for him."
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Nathan Fraser turns down Ireland call-up
As it turned out, Fraser started that FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Coventry, but league minutes were limited after making a handful of starts earlier in the campaign.
Fraser has represented Ireland at under-19 level but his latest rejection will increase fears that the Wolverhampton-born forward is planning for an international breakthrough with England. His situation is not unsimiliar to that of Leicester striker Tom Cannon, who took some time out to consider his international future, before earning a first senior call-up earlier this week.
The Ireland under-21s take on Croatia on June 7th and England on June 11th in preparation for the latter part of the Euro 2025 European Championship qualifiers. With four games to play, Crawford's men currently sit second in the group, two points behind Italy with a game in hand on the leaders, while Norway are a point further back in third. The team finishing top will qualify automatically, while the runners-up will enter a play-off.
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