- Lee Bullen pleased with international call-ups
- Joe Wildsmith back with the Owls after England duty
- Bullen says Three Lions stint was valuable for young keeper
Joe Wildsmith’s call-up to the England Under-20 squad is recognition of his hard work and solid start to the season, according to Lee Bullen.
The Owls coach, who works closely with both the Development Squad and first team, has said it’s a huge positive for the player and the club when international teams come calling.
This month, Keiren Westwood (Republic of Ireland), Stevie May (Scotland) and Wildsmith have received call-ups and been away with their respective nations.
Bullen said: “For Joe, it’s a reward for his hard work how he has conducted himself and he deserves a pat on the back. He’ll certainly come back with a spring in his step.
“It’s what we want at the club. Whether it’s Simon Hannah going with Northern Ireland or Stevie May with Scotland, it’s a huge positive to see these players called up and it shows things are being done correctly.
“What Joe has to do is come back, keep his feet on the ground and build on what he has achieved.
“It will have done him the world of good the past ten days with the England boys and full credit to him.
“He’ll be back in our squad for the cup game with Hull next Monday.”
With Wildsmith on England duty and Cameron Dawson on loan at Alfreton, 16-year-old Brad McDonagh has stepped up into the Under-21s and kept a clean in the 5-0 win over Colchester.
In fact, the young goalkeeper has not conceded in his last six games after five consecutive clean sheets for the Under-18s.
Bullen added: “It’s a big step up from Under-16s and Under-18s to Under-21s.
“The clean sheet on Monday was credit to him but also to the ten players in front of him because it was a terrific performance.
“He’s got a long, long way to go in his development but it has certainly done him no harm getting this experience.”