Goalkeeper Long had successful summer, being called up to the England U-20’s tournament and although the team failed to make any advances in the competition the young stopper was selected by Roy Hodgson for the Under-21’s when England beat Scotland by six goals to nil at Bramall Lane a few weeks ago.
Since then former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has taken over the set-up and his first port of call was to select Long again for the forthcoming Championship Qualifiers against Moldova (5 September) at Reading’s Madejski Stadium and in Finland four days later. Although selected, Stoke’s Jack Butland is expected to retain the number one jersey.
Meanwhile McGinty has too been selected for his Country at Unde-21 level, coached by Noel King. They face Germany next month in the same competition but is likely to miss the South Yorkshire Derby at Rotherham as he travels on the same day before facing the Europeans two days later on 9 September.