Stones Becomes A Lion!

 

The 18 year old full-back only signed his first contract this summer but made a goal scoring debut in the Capital One Cup First Round victory at Rochdale before impressing in the 1-0 league victory over Middlesbrough. A slight knock forced him to miss last night's defeat at Wolves but his first two displays were enough to impress England U19 coach Noel Blake, who used to coach at Oakwell.

 

Stones told www.barnsleyfc.co.uk:

 

“It’s a massive honour and a massive privilege for me. It’s all happening so fast I can’t describe it.” 

 

“To play for your own country is the biggest honour and I think everyone dreams about playing for their country so I can’t describe how it’s going to feel. 

 

“I’ve just looked at the squad and there’s some quality players so it should be good to feature alongside them in Germany against such a good team.” 

 

Stones could be joined in the squad by his club mate Paul Digby.

 

The 17 year old is still an Academy second year scholar with Barnsley but has been placed on standby by Blake. Digby made four appearances for the Reds last season and has been named on the bench for two of the three games of 2012-2013 despite carrying an injury.......

 

.....Talking of injuries, Reds boss Keith Hill has admitted painstakingly scouring the loan market to help shore up is depleted squad. Stand in captain David Perkins became the TENTH player to enter the treatment room after limping off 51 minutes into last night's game but the Reds boss has claimed he keeps hitting brick walls. Talking to the club's official website he said:

 

“We’ve been banging on the door to try and get loan signings in but nobody’s allowing us to do that,”

 

“It’s a just shame that players are playing for teams at their parent clubs that they’ve outgrown. 

 

“I’m encouraged by the squad of players that we’ve got. I can see real purpose in building but I was disappointed I couldn’t change four or five players at Wolves.”

 

Full England U19 squad to face Germany: