Connor Wickham frustrated by England Under-21s absence

Connor Wickham has admitted that he is unsure why Gareth Southgate has not selected him in the England Under-21s squad.

The Sunderland forward has been out in the cold since pulling out of Southgate's first squad two years ago, with the head coach preferring to put faith in the likes of Harry Kane, Saido Berahino and Danny Ings.

However, Wickham insists that he has not been offered an explanation for his omission ahead of this summer's European Under-21 Championship.

"I don't understand the situation," Wickham told reporters. "I've not spoken to anyone in the England set-up for a while.

"But if they want me to play, I'm never going to say no to my country."

Wickham has scored six goals in 17 appearances for the Under-21s.