Leeds United manager Simon Grayson has welcomed Jonny Howson’s first call-up for the England Under-21s.

Howson, 22, is in Stuart Pearce’s squad for tonight’s game against Italy in Empoli and is well on the way to his 200th appearance for his home-town club.

Grayson said: “People forget Jonny is still a young player when they look at the games he has played and the fact that he has been captaining the side.

"He is a great professional, a real hard worker and a real talent. He has been terrific for us this season and this is a great reward for him.”

Grayson says he will consider entering the emergency loans market for a right back if Paul Connolly’s hamstring injury rules out the former Derby defender for long.

Connolly hobbled off to be substituted seven minutes from the end of the 1-0 win over Coventry City on Saturday, and United are assessing the extent of his injury.

Meanwhile, Michael Stewart, the former Hearts, Hibernian, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest midfielder, is having a trial with the club. Edinburgh-born Stewart, 29, who has been playing on the continent, was attached to Rangers as a schoolboy.

Stewart played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against York City yesterday, along with a French trialist, but the goalless game was spoiled by a strong wind.

Striker Ross McCormack was included after missing the win against Coventry through illness, and keeper David Gonzalez, on loan from Manchester City, had little to do in his first game for the club.