Benik Afobe to replace injured Saido Berahino in England Under-21 squad

England Under-21 coach Gareth Southgate has called up Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Benik Afobe to the Young Lions squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Championships, after West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino was ruled out following an injury in training.

Baggies frontman Berahino was top scorer in qualifying for this summer’s tournament in the Czech Republic, hitting nine, and will be a big miss as England boasted a superb forward line including Burundi-born Berahino, Tottenham hitman Harry Kane and new Liverpool signing Danny Ings.

Speaking to the media on the loss of his lethal forward, Southgate said: “It’s a great personal disappointment for Saido…we’re personally disappointed for him because he’s been with us from the very first game, scored our first goal and has been a huge part of the reason why we’re here.

“It’s a great shame he won’t be able to finish the job,” added the former England international.

Arsenal academy product Afobe will be an intriguing replacement, however, having become one of the Championship’s surprise packages with Wolves this season, for whom he was a revelation, hitting 13 goals and five assists in 21 outings after joining in January.

That form has earned the flexible forward a chance to fire the Young Lions to glory in the Czech Republic, with Southgate stating: “I’ve kept in contact with him in case something like this happened. He’s always been super positive about being involved and he’s excited by it.”

The worry for travelling fans will be whether Berahino’s absence will impact England (5/1 chances to win the Under-21 Championship) as they take on joint second-favourites Portugal (also 5/1) in their opening Group B encounter.