Former Bristol City defender gets international call-up with England

Former Bristol City left-back Vincent Harper has been named in England C's 16-man squad to face Wales next week.

Harper had made the preliminary 25-man squad that was named earlier this month, and after a nine-man cull by Paul Fairclough, has made the cut. He is the only left-sided wing-back in the squad and could start against Wales next Tuesday (March 21) at Altrincham's Moss Lane.

The 22-year-old departed Ashton Gate in the summer of 2021 with then academy manager and now technical director Brian Tinnion admitting that Harper's route to the first-team was tough with Cameron Pring, Jay Dasilva and George Nurse all on the books at the time. He picked himself up following his release and joined Eastleigh following a brief spell with nearby Chippenham Town.

Harper had been rejected by Cheltenham Town and Wycombe Wanderers following trial periods, but now he could have a route back in to the full-time professional game should he perform well when representing the non-league Three Lions.

Rumoured transfer target Macaulay Langstaffis also in the squad, and has been in exceptional form for Notts County this season. The 26-year-old has scored 36 goals in 37 league matches this season and is on course to win the Golden Boot, as he and former Robins head coach Luke Williams hope for a slip up from Wrexham. Langstaff is just four goals off of the 40-goal record set by Ricky Miller in 2017.

The match between England and Wales has been a mid-season showpiece event, which has attracted scouts from Football League clubs, who get the chance to watch players in a different environment. Since the inception of the fixture back in 2018, the likes of Armani Little, Fejiri Okenabirhie and Will Evans have earned moves to Forest Green, Shrewsbury Town and Newport County in recent years.

Welsh broadcaster S4C will broadcast the fixture on their YouTube feed on Tuesday night, which will allow Robins fans to tune in to one of their former academy prospects.

Goalkeepers

Magnus Norman Oldham Athletic

Sam Howes Wealdstone

Defenders

Tyler Cordner Aldershot Town

Harry Phipps Dagenham & Redbridge

Vince Harper Eastleigh

Jesse Debrah FC Halifax Town

Kenton Richardson Gateshead

Gus Scott-Morriss Southend United

Midfielders

Josh Lundstram Altrincham

Ryan De Havilland Barnet

Darren Oldaker Chesterfield

Regan Booty Maidstone United

Joe Sbarra Solihull Moors

Forwards

Emile Acquah Maidenhead United

Macaulay Langstaff Notts County

Sam Dalby Wrexham