Kelly looking for chance in Germany
Sunday, 14 November, 2010
Liverpool defender wants to add to his Under-21s tally.
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Liverpool defender Martin Kelly is hoping to add to his recent run of outings for the Reds with a second cap for the Under-21s when they meet Germany in Wiesbaden on Tuesday evening.
Kelly, who scored on his debut for Stuart Pearce's side in their August defeat of Uzbekistan, has been an ever-present member of the squad this season but has had to make do with a place on the bench as the team clinched qualification for their third successive European Championship campaign.
Meanwhile, under Roy Hodgson at Anfield, the 20-year-old has made steady progress, turning out for Liverpool on ten occasions this season, including a starting place a right-back in their 2-0 home win over Chelsea last weekend.
Now, though, he's with his country as they look forward to their first game on a seven-month preparation period in the build-up to the Euro 2011 Finals in Denmark.
"It's going to be a great summer and we've got a good squad and I am just hoping I will be involved," Kelly told the official Liverpool FC website.
"We have got a friendly against Germany this week so hopefully I will get the chance to show the manager what I can do."
"Playing in the Under-21s European Championship would be a fantastic experience for me. I always enjoy it when I go away with the England Under-21 squad and I can't wait for Denmark."
"Being in the set-up with Stuart Pearce is also good for my development and I can learn a lot from him."
Having featured mostly for Liverpool on the right side of defence, his sole appearance for the Under-21s was at centre-back as a second half substitute in place of Blackburn Rover's Phil Jones in Bristol. He grabbed England's second goal in the 2-0 win but he admits that he doesn't mind where he plays, and just wants to keep being given the opportunities.
"I have played at centre-back for England Under-21s but at the moment I'm playing right-back for Liverpool which I'm enjoying and I am working as hard I can to adapt," he adde.
"It doesn't matter where I play for Liverpool and I just look forward to each game and give my best."
You can follow England Under-21s during the build-up and throughout next summer's Finals right here on TheFA.com and also at www.facebook.com/EnglandU21s.