Former Walsall loanee Sam Johnstone made his full England debut after being named in the starting XI to take on Romania on Sunday evening, with Gareth Southgate and his team playing their final friendly before the rearranged Euro 2020.
The tournament, which begins on Friday afternoon as Turkey face Italy, was cancelled last summer as the Covid-19 outbreak forced us all to retreat to our homes, something we've only recently begun to see the end of.
However, following a twelve-month delay, the competition will get underway this week with plenty of much-anticipated matches to take place in front of fans, in stark contrast to the Saddlers' recent campaign, which saw all games played behind closed doors.
Preston-born Johnstone, who played for the full ninety minutes and secured a well-earned clean sheet as the Three Lions secured a one-nil victory over Romania, made seven Saddlers appearances during a loan spell towards the end of the 2012/13 campaign.
Then lining up for Manchester United reserves, Johnstone also enjoyed several other spells away from Old Trafford, with the stopper turning out for the likes of Oldham Athletic, Scunthorpe United, Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers, Preston North End, and Aston Villa.
The 28-year-old went on to make a permanent switch to West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2018, and has made 131 first-team appearances for the Baggies, earning his call-up to the national side earlier this month.
We would like to congratulate Sam on his first full England cap, and wish him all the best for the upcoming tournament.
The tournament, which begins on Friday afternoon as Turkey face Italy, was cancelled last summer as the Covid-19 outbreak forced us all to retreat to our homes, something we've only recently begun to see the end of.
However, following a twelve-month delay, the competition will get underway this week with plenty of much-anticipated matches to take place in front of fans, in stark contrast to the Saddlers' recent campaign, which saw all games played behind closed doors.
Preston-born Johnstone, who played for the full ninety minutes and secured a well-earned clean sheet as the Three Lions secured a one-nil victory over Romania, made seven Saddlers appearances during a loan spell towards the end of the 2012/13 campaign.
Then lining up for Manchester United reserves, Johnstone also enjoyed several other spells away from Old Trafford, with the stopper turning out for the likes of Oldham Athletic, Scunthorpe United, Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers, Preston North End, and Aston Villa.
The 28-year-old went on to make a permanent switch to West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2018, and has made 131 first-team appearances for the Baggies, earning his call-up to the national side earlier this month.
We would like to congratulate Sam on his first full England cap, and wish him all the best for the upcoming tournament.