West Ham United Academy duo Lewis Orford and Fin Herrick have been included in the England U20s squad for their upcoming friendly fixture against Switzerland at St George’s Park.
Orford was selected for the U20s’ last game during the September international break, starting their 2-1 defeat by Italy alongside Plymouth Argyle’s Law McCabe in midfield.
During this upcoming international break, Ben Futcher’s side will also play just the one friendly, against Switzerland on Friday 10 October at 12noon at St George’s Park.
Last season’s Premier League 2 Player of the Season nominee Orford has plenty of experience representing his country at youth level, having previously played for the Young Lions at U15s, U16s, U18s and U19s. Last season, Orford made seven appearances for the U19s, scoring twice and captaining the side in a 4-1 win over the Netherlands.
This term, Orford has gone on a season-long loan with League One outfit Stevenage who have made their best-ever start to a league season, winning seven out of their first nine games. Our young Hammer will be looking to make his debut for the club this weekend when they host Gideon Kodua’s Luton Town at Broadhall Way on Saturday afternoon.
Last season’s Premier League 2 Golden Glove winner Herrick could be set to make his debut for a fifth England age group when he joins up with the U20s, having already featured for the U16s, U17s, U18s and U19s across the past four years. In the U19s last term, the 19-year-old goalkeeper earned five caps for Will Antwi’s side, keeping two clean sheets in European qualifiers. He was selected for the final tournament in Albania, though Arsenal’s Tommy Setford was preferred in goal as England exited at the group stage.
Herrick withdrew from the last England U20s squad after securing a deadline day move to Enterprise National League side Boreham Wood.
Since making the switch to the English fifth tier, the 19-year-old shot stopper is yet to lose and has claimed three clean sheets in five games. In fact, that form has seen Boreham Wood climb to third, extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12.
