This calendar year has been a memorable one for first-year scholar Morgan Whittaker so far.
It started with his first call-up to the England Under-16s squad back in April and since then, the promising young forward has since been offered a full-time position in Derby County’s Under-18s and was this month called up to feature for England’s Under-17s.
In total, Whittaker featured for two of the Three Lions’ three games against Turkey, Scotland and Italy in the St George’s Park Tournament.
But whilst the experience was significant in itself, the 16-year-old has very quickly turned his attention to getting his place back in Justin Walker and Rory Delap’s starting XI as they get ready to face Sunderland at the Academy of Light on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 1pm).
Speaking exclusively to dcfc.co.uk, Whittaker said: “It was good to get away with England but my full focus is now on getting back in the team.
“Going away on international duty always gives you the confidence to build on at club level.
“You have obviously been picked for a reason and I think it can help me in the games to come.”
On the actual games programme away with the Three Lions, the forward added: “In the first game we played against Turkey. I managed to start in that game and played 65 minutes in a fixture that we won 3-2.
“In the next game, we then played against Scotland and won 2-1 in that one. Another great win, in particular because it was a local rivalry.
“We then came to our last game against Italy and were unfortunate to lose 2-1 in the end.”
International experiences aside, Whittaker was quick to turn his attention the Rams’ upcoming game against Sunderland at the weekend.
Determined to win his place back, the forward hopes his time away with the national squad will stand him in good stead, but he is under no illusions that winning his place back won’t be tough after the Under-18s’ achieved an impressive 3-1 victory at the weekend away from home against Everton.
He added: “It was good to get away with England but my full focus is now on getting back in the team.
“It’s not going to be easy, especially after a brilliant victory over Everton at the weekend. I need to push to get my place back and keep it for as long as possible.
“I would like to think that this international opportunity can help to spur me on but you have to earn your place and there is some great competition in the group.
“All I can do is keep working hard and keep pushing players in my position all the way.”
