Carlos Corberán insists Tom Fellows’ inclusion in the England Men’s Elite League squad is the perfect “reward” for the “positive contribution” the academy graduate has made this season.
Fellows received a maiden call up to the group which was formerly known as the under-20s the day before he scored Albion’s opener in the 2-0 win over Bristol City at The Hawthorns in the Sky Bet Championship.
It was the winger’s fifth goal of 2024 having also found the net in first-team fixtures against Aldershot Town, Blackburn Rovers, Ipswich Town and Plymouth Argyle.
The Baggies youngster will be determined to earn a first Young Lions cap over the international break, with Ben Futcher’s team taking on Poland in Białystok on Friday, March 22 (ko 5pm) and then Czech Republic in Ostrava on Tuesday, March 26 (ko 2pm).
Boss Corberán believes Tom’s involvement with England is the consequence of his impressive performances in Albion colours.
Opening the scoring at the perfect time. ✨ pic.twitter.com/VvKiy34VuV
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) March 16, 2024
Carlos said: “We’re always happy when our players are called up by their national teams.
“We’re happy because it means these players are doing very good things for their club and for us.
“The positive consequence of their contribution here at Albion is to go away and represent their nation.
“It’s the first time that he has received the call and it’s a reward for him.
“It’s certainly an important step for his career.
“For me, Tom Fellows is a player who can improve even more and we’re going to keep working with him to help him achieve the maximum level of improvement.
“Everyone wishes him the very best of luck for his time away with England.”
The 20-year-old says it’s an absolute privilege to have the opportunity to play for his country.
He said: “I’m honoured to be called up, it’s something I didn’t really expect.
“If you look at the start of the season to now, the last thing I thought I’d get was an England under-20 call. It’s an honour and nobody can take it away from me.
“Hopefully I’ll have grandkids and live a long life and to tell them I’ve been involved in an England set-up, it’s good.
“It should be a good experience, it’s good to learn off other coaches there and a lot of good players, we’ll see what happens.”
