England U21 manager Aidy Boothroyd has admitted Dominic Calvert-Lewin can count himself unfortunate to not be picked for his side.
The Everton striker was in great form over the closing stages of the campaign as the Blues secured some strong results over the biggest teams in the Premier League.
However, the 22-year-old found himself on the bench when England took on France on Friday to open the European U21 Championship campaign - with Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke given the nod instead.
The Young Lions threw away a lead handed to them by Phil Foden as a late strike from Nanitamo Ikone followed by an Aaron Wan-Bissaka own goal in added time handed a 2-1 victory to France.
Calvert-Lewin was brought off the bench in the 75th minute, joined by fellow in-form striker Tammy Abraham, but neither were able to score the crucial goal.
There have been reports Calvert-Lewin will be handed a starting place as England take on Romania on Friday evening, and Boothroyd has now admitted the Everton man deserves a shot.
"I think he's been unfortunate not to have been chosen before," he told Sky Sports.
"He's up against two other very, very good centre-forwards in Tammy Abraham and Dom Solanke.
"But I have to say they way they've worked together, the way they've got around each other, pushed each other is really heartening.
"Dominic Calvert-Lewin can consider himself unlucky not to get a shot, but then all three of the players could really."
England realistically need to beat both Croatia and Romania to have a chance of qualifying, with only the group winners guaranteed a place in the knockout stages. of the competition.
