BURY’S on-loan goalkeeper Christian Walton looks set to miss out on the chance to make his England Under-21 debut after returning to parent club Brighton to have a groin injury assessed.

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 manager David Flitcroft said he must now be a major doubt for the U21s after struggling with a groin problem for the last week.

“He’s come off with a groin injury after the game (against Leicester City in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday),” he said after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Oldham.

“He’s been struggling for probably a week with a groin injury and presented with it after the game.

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

“They are now discussing it with England and we will know more on Monday.

“Whether he goes to England I’m not too sure now with the groin problem he has had.”

Walton, who had made just four first-team appearances for Brighton before signing a season-long loan at Bury in the summer, conceded 13 goals in the four games previous to Saturday’s draw.

Former Bolton Wanderers keeper Rob Lainton replaced him in the starting line-up, and while the 25-year-old had to be rescued by his defence on a couple of occasions, he secured a point for Bury with a smart late save from Latics substitute Simonas Stankevicius.

“Rob has supported Christian really well through a difficult period and has kept his training load up,” added Flitcroft.

“For Rob to come in and get his bearings and his coordinates right, he has done extremely well.

“In the 85th minute he has pulled off a fantastic save to keep us with a point.

“So I’m delighted with the way he has supported Christian and the way he’s kept goal today.”