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| Eberechi Eze of England looks on during a training session at St Georges Park on June 13, 2023 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. |
Eze, 24, was forced to withdraw from England’s provisional Euro 2020 squad in May 2021 with an Achilles injury.
“I know without setbacks and difficult moments it’s hard to grow and be the person I am today,” he said.
“I look back at those memories fondly because I know it has helped shape who I am.
“It’s hard to put into words. I look at things a bit differently. I saw it [potential making Euro 2020] as I was on the right trajectory, even though I was injured, this was the level I could get to. It gave me the motivation to keep going.
“I got a message which gave me an inkling I was going to be called up but being injured that was the end of it for a little while.
“It’s been a journey getting back to the standard and putting in the performances but it’s been a good one.”
England first face Malta away in the Group C qualifier on Friday before hosting North Macedonia in Manchester on Monday.