Stubbs praises England man Fry

ROTHERHAM United chief Alan Stubbs says it is fantastic that young centre-half Dael Fry has had the chance to train with senior England stars.

The 19-year-old Middlesbrough loanee was switched from the U20s to the seniors at the national training HQ at Burton on Wednesday due to injuries, giving him the chance to rub shoulders with the likes of Wayne Rooney and the rest of Gareth Southgate's squad in the run-up to their World Cup qualifier against Malta.

Although Fry is expected to be back with the U20s for their matches against Germany tonight and the USA on Monday, Stubbs says he can only benefit from the experience.

“It is all part of his development and his learning,” he told the Advertiser. “It would have been a bit of a shock to him but it's a really nice position he finds himself in.

“I don't think it's anything more than being brought up to train but even then it fantastic for Dael to be rubbing shoulders with players of that quality at his age.”

The Millers, meanwhile, had a private game against Wigan Athletic this week to give fringe players a run-out.

They are also monitoring the fitness of Tom Adeyemi, Joe Mattock, Kirk Broadfoot and Aimen Belaid in the run-up to their next Championship fixture away to Norwich City next weekend.