Dwight McNeil is looking to finish a memorable campaign by shining in his first international tournament.
The Burnley winger has been called up for the England Under-20s as the Three Lions look to win the Maurice Revello Toulon Tournament which starts on Saturday. The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season at Turf Moor, scoring three goals in 25 appearances.
Having trained with Gareth Southgate's senior squad and played for the Under-20s in March, McNeil will be hoping to help England to success in Provence over the next couple of weeks. “Again, it’s a new experience for me," said the teenager, part of Paul Simpson's 21-man squad. "It’s something to look forward to and hopefully I’ll take it in my stride. Playing tournament football against different types of teams will be something completely different. I think we have one or two new faces in the squad, and it will be good to be involved again."
“You want to keep pushing yourself and you never know what can happen in the future.I know England have won the tournament for the last two or three years. People might say that creates pressure, but I don’t think so.It just gives you an incentive to try and win it again.”
England open up against Japan this Saturday, June 1 then face Portugal on June 4 and Chile on June 8 in their group as they look to reach the knockout stages.
“This is the perfect end," McNeil told the Clarets' website. It’s been an amazing season – life-changing really. Looking back at it, I was playing regularly for the Under-23s and then after playing at Sheffield United just before Christmas I didn’t play again. I got the chance in the first team and I think I took it. It was a great second half of the season. But it’s only a start. I’ve got to build on it again next season.
“Playing over the summer will be another experience and it should also help me come back fitter when I come back to Burnley. It’s win-win.The prestigious Toulon tournament, now in its 47th year, also includes Brazil, France, Guatemala, Qatar, Bahrain, China, Mexico and the Republic of Ireland and concludes on June 15. Find out more about the team and their chairman Mike Garlic here. Like the official Facebook page of Mike Garlick and keep up-to-date with the latest posts here.