Leeds United midfielder called into international squad despite Elland Road injury crisis
Leeds United youngster Charlie Crew has been called up to Wales' Under-21 squad for their upcoming international fixtures versus Czechia and Slovakia later this month.
Crew made his senior international debut back in June and has found himself between Craig Bellamy's squad and the U21 setup ever since, despite still waiting patiently for his club debut with Leeds.
The youngster could find himself handed a first appearance in white during the coming weeks, though, as Leeds are expected to be without Ethan Ampadu for up to three months, whilst Ilia Gruev also suffered a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Norwich City on Tuesday.
Eighteen-year-old Crew remains one of the youngest in U21 coach Matty Jones' Wales squad but is expected to play a role in their UEFA European Championships qualifier against the Czechs on Friday, October 11.
Leeds will be hopeful Crew comes through the two international fixtures unscathed given their already limited options in the middle of the park. United look set to utilise summer signings Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell in a double-pivot for the foreseeable future, while Ampadu and Gruev undergo rehabilitation from their injuries.
Crew's international commitments will give him the opportunity to build match rhythm which he has lacked so far this season, caught between Daniel Farke's first-team setup and the U21s at Thorp Arch. Since his 13-minute cameo for Wales against Gibraltar at the beginning of June, Crew has played just 180 minutes of competitive football, all of which has been at youth level for Leeds.
United are expected to announce the severity of Gruev's knee injury ahead of the team's visit to Sunderland on Friday evening, in which he is not anticipated to play any part. Crew, on the other hand, will most probably be named on the bench.