England’s U-21s will miss Liam Delap’s aggression in final Euro qualifier against Azerbaijan, interim boss Ben Futcher admits… with Ipswich striker suspended

England Under-21 interim coach Ben Futcher has heaped praise on Liam Delap as he goes into Tuesday’s game against Azerbaijan in Bristol without the in-form striker.

Striker Delap is absent for the final European Championship qualifier of England’s campaign through suspension after being booked in Friday’s comeback win over Ukraine. 

The 21-year-old stayed with the squad over the weekend but is understood to have now returned to Ipswich, for whom he has scored four Premier League goals already this season.

A throwback No 9, Delap’s combative approach unsettles defenders and offers England – now qualified for next summer’s Euros – something different in a position where they are not developing a wealth of talent.

‘If you want to go and fight him, he will match you,’ said Futcher. ‘If you want to race him, he’ll win the race. Liam’s a top No 9 and he’s going to keep developing. 

Young Lions interim boss Ben Futcher praised the striker, who has returned to Ipswich

Delap has scored four Premier League goals for the Tractor Boys in a strong start to the season

‘It’s a good aggression. He needs to learn to control it. 

‘He’s football intelligent, so he knows when to be strong. When he’s on a yellow, he’s learning not to get a second booking and be silly. I wouldn’t be trying to take any aggression out of him because that’s one of his strengths.’

Futcher has Tottenham’s Dane Scarlett or Birmingham’s £10m signing Jay Stansfield as potential replacements – unless he plays a false nine, where Morgan Rogers could flourish.