Lees has to shine for Leeds United to secure England tilt (From York Press)

Tom Lees has to shine for Leeds United to secure England tilt

10:26am Friday 14th September 2012 in Sport

GLEEFUL defender Tom Lees’s shock England under-21 start will prove a blessing for Leeds United .

That’s the verdict of the left-back himself, who made his debut for the young England outfit in the 1-0 win over Norway.

Lees has returned to the Leeds camp ahead of tomorrow’s mouth-watering clash at Cardiff City knowing that if he is to further his international claims he will have to excel week in, week out.

Said Lees: “It was a bit surreal and a great experience. Getting the cap just topped it off.

“My attention is at Leeds, as it always has been, and I’m ready for Cardiff now.

“My goal is to get in the next squad and to do that I have to play well for Leeds.”

Two other players Leeds boss manager Neil Warnock will be glad to welcome back ahead of tomorrow’s trek to Wales will be Jamaican international midfielder Rodolph Austin and Scotland’s Ross McCormack.

The latter, who was an unused substitute in the Scots’ 1-1 draw with Macedonia, will be up against one of his former clubs, while Austin has had to journey from America.

The midfield pivot was on target for Jamaica in the first of a double-header against the USA before then playing in the return 1-0 loss for the Reggae Boys.

Warnock yesterday bolstered his midfield by signing Michael Tonge on loan from Stoke City. Tonge was a key member of the Sheffield United team managed by Warnock.