Holidays on hold for busy Redmond

18 May 2015 21:47

Nathan Redmond would happily give up his summer holiday if it meant helping Norwich return to the Barclays Premier League and tasting success with England at the European Under-21s Championships.

Canaries forward Redmond produced an all-action display, scoring one and setting up another, as Alex Neil's side beat local rivals Ipswich 3-1 at Carrow Road to reach the Sky Bet Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough at Wembley on Bank Holiday Monday.

As well as being at the heart of Norwich's promotion bid, the 21-year-old has also played an integral part for Gareth Southgate's Young Lions as they qualified undefeated for the UEFA finals in the Czech Republic.

Hopes are high for England, who are in the same group as Portugal, Sweden and Italy, to make the latter stages of the tournament, which runs until June 30.

Should England reach the final in Prague, that would give the players involved little down time ahead of an earlier-than-usual return to domestic action, with the new Premier League season set to start again on August 8.

Redmond, though, would gladly put himself through a busy summer schedule if it meant success for both club and country.

"I haven't had much of a holiday for years, as I have been on international duty every year. I love playing football," said Redmond, signed from Birmingham in July 2013.

"I have got great staff here (at Norwich) behind the scenes, especially the gaffer (Alex Neil) he let me know after the season is done here he will let me have some time off after the internationals.

"I will go away with England, after the play-off final and I will have to look after myself well and prepare myself for that, but I am excited by it."

Redmond added: "I might perhaps get two or three (weeks off), but if it means me coming back earlier for pre-season which means we are preparing for the Premier League, then I will be straight back in."

Source: PA