BURY’S on-loan goalkeeper Christian Walton has been withdrawn from the England Under-21 squad due to a groin injury.

The 19-year-old stopper became the first Bury player, albeit on loan, to be picked for England at U21 level when Gareth Southgate selected him for the squad to face the USA at Preston on Thursday and travel to Norway next Monday (September 7).

But the FA have confirmed Walton, along with Everton defender Brendan Galloway and Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom, had pulled out of the squad due to injury.

Walton missed Bury's 1-1 draw with Oldham on Saturday and Shakers boss David Flitcroft confirmed after the match that he had been sent back to parent club Brighton to have a groin problem assessed.

“He’s been struggling for probably a week with a groin injury and presented with it after the game (against Leicester City in the Capital One Cup last Tuesday).

“We sent him back down to Brighton to have it assessed by the medical people down there.”

Walton had endured a difficult start to his season-long loan at Bury and had conceded 13 goals in the four games prior to Saturday’s draw.

Former Bolton Wanderers keeper Rob Lainton replaced him in the starting line-up and he will more than likely continue to deputise in tomorrow night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy match at Accrington.