Lee Carsley has revealed Brighton and Hove Albion right-back Tariq Lamptey asked to be left out of the England Under-21 squad because he is weighing up his international future.
Former Brighton boss Chris Hughton, who is Ghana’s incoming technical director/advisor, wants Lamptey to change his national allegiance before the winter World Cup in Qatar.
Graham Potter, Hughton’s successor at the Amex, has advised Lamptey to “go with his heart” but the former Chelsea defender is yet to make a final decision.
Lamptey has represented England, the country of his birth, at different age groups below senior level. He has made two appearances for the under-21s.
Carsley said of Lamptey’s omission: “There’s an issue over his dual nationality. He’s had an approach. It’s something he’s considering at the minute.
“He’s asked to be left out of the squad for a bit of head space. He’s not switched, it’s not cemented or anything like that. But he’s had an approach. We have to respect that.
“We’ve made it clear how important we see him to us. I know the seniors have as well. It’s not something that we’ve given up on. Tariq is fully aware of how important we see him.
“To be fair, I have rang him every day. I probably shouldn’t have, I probably pushed him. You can only make it clear so many times.
“I wouldn’t say we’ve done as much as we can, but he knows where we stand with him. I think we have to respect now that he’s got a decision to make. Not only with himself, but with his family.”
Lamptey, signed from Chelsea in January 2020, qualifies for Ghana through his parents.
He made 30 top-flight appearances last season as Brighton finished ninth, their highest ever finish in the Premier League.