Luke Harris, a Birmingham City midfielder, has been pulled from international service.
The 19-year-old was absent from the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Walsall on Tuesday after being called up to the Wales under-21 squad, although he will not feature for the Dragons this week. The Welsh Football Association (FAW) confirmed that Harris and Exeter City’s Pat Jones had been removed, and were replaced by Cameron Congreve and Joel Colwill.
He played 52 minutes in the weekend’s 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic before being replaced by match-winner Scott Wright. The Jersey-born youngster has scored one goal in five games after coming on a season-long loan from Fulham.
Due to Harris and Jones’ call-ups, Birmingham City’s match against Exeter City was canceled. If three or more squad members have been selected for their respective countries, games will be postponed. Wales will be missing Harris and Jones as they prepare for the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifier against Iceland on Tuesday, September 10.
The Welsh FA has not divulged the reason for Harris’ withdrawal, although there are 11 days until Birmingham’s next game, against Wrexham on Monday, September 16, if an injury is the cause.
Harris was called up for international duty, as were Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Willum Willumsson, and Alfons Sampsted. Peacock-Farrell, Northern Ireland’s first-choice goalkeeper, will aim to play today (September 5) against Luxembourg before traveling to Bulgaria on Sunday (September 8) for a Nations League double header.
Iceland, which includes Sampsted and Willumsson, will play Montenegro on Friday (September 6) and Turkey on Monday (September 9).