YORK City goalkeeper Russ Howarth today netted a massive international boost.

The City shot-stopper has landed a late call-up into the England Under-20 squad after injury forced a reshuffle.

Liverpool's £6million star Chris Kirkland, the former Coventry City goalkeeper, was preparing with the England Under-21's for their European Championship appearances in Switzerland later this month.

However, he has had to withdraw because of injury.

That leaves just Leeds United's Paul Robinson and Stuart Taylor of Arsenal as the only net-minders in the squad.

David Platt, the Under-21 manager, has opted to draft in West Ham's Stephen Bywater from the Under-20s, leaving a space to fill in the younger age category, which Howarth will now fill.

Howarth, who made his lone League apparance for the Minstermen in the last game of the season, is now to fly out to France to join Rhys Evans of Chelsea in the under-20s squad, who are currently playing in the Toulon tournament.

Howarth was disappointed not to have made the squad initially after impressing on national duty from England Under-16s through to the U-20s.

But he will be eager to grab his chance now, espoecially as it coiuld put him further into the spotlight as several top-flight clubs inlcuding Everton, leeds United and Sunderland monotoring his progress.

Updated: 11:35 Thursday, May 09, 2002