Adam Watkins earned a call-up to the England C fold this week and Luton boss Gary Brabin believes it’s befitting of the midfielder’s progress this term from fringe player to regular starter.
Three Lions boss Paul Fairclough named the 20-year-old in his 16-man squad to face Italy in the opening International Challenge Trophy on February 28 at Fleetwood’s Highbury Stadium (7.45pm).
Watkins has played 27 times already this term, netting goals in the process and his performances saw him earn a first cap for his country in November’s 3-1 defeat to Gibraltar. Brabin admits he’s flourishing under the responsibility of playing for his boyhood heroes.
“He’s come on leaps and bounds,” said the Hatters boss.
“He’s still developing. He realises that and what I don’t want is too much expectancy [on him].
“I want him to keep developing, enjoying his football and keep going out there and playing with a free spirit. I think he’s thriving on that and getting better and better.”
It’s been a remarkable rise for Watkins this season as he’d only played five times for the first team since making his debut in a FA Cup third round defeat at Southampton in 2010 - and Brabin can see the difference in him.
“He’s definitely getting fitter and stronger with the games,” the manager explained. “When we were first playing him he was suffering and tightening up with cramp, he couldn’t physically complete a full 90 minutes whereas now he’s getting stronger and has certainly developed physically over the course of the season.
“We’re hopeful and confident that he’s going to keep on improving.”
