Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Kenny Jackett has backed young defender Dominic Iorfa after he was sent off for England U20s at the 2015 Toulon Tournament.
19-year-old Iorfa saw red for a second bookable offence as England struggled to an unexpected three-all draw with Morocco in their first game on Thursday, and was suspended as the Young Lions bounced back to beat Ivory Coast on Saturday.
The imposing defender, who has made 22 league appearances for Wolves, will be available for England's final group game with China on Friday, but manager Aidy Boothroyd admitted that he was right to be given his marching orders.
“We can’t complain about the sending off, it’s a learning curve which [is what] this tournament is all about,” the 44-year-old attested.
But Wolves boss Jackett has defended the Wolves Young Professional of the Year, praising his performances at club level over the course of the season.
“In his first friendly for us last summer he handled a guy called Danny Hylton, who’s done well for Oxford and who’s a physically very aggressive and strong forward, and Dominic handled him very well,” said Jackett.
“Defensively he’s been very, very sound and I think his extreme pace is an asset, in bringing the ball out. He’s showed fantastic improvement, development and potential and we feel, and I’m sure the supporters feel, there’s big improvements to come from him as well."
Jackett could move Iorfa to centre-half
Jackett thinks that, while Iorfa has shown marked improvements over the course of the season, there is still work to be done for the player to develop.
“I now feel the last bit for him is working at his crossing," he continued. "His final ball when he gets up and around that box is something he’ll need to add.
“It will add to considerable assets for a right-back because his pace and athleticism are terrific. Could he go on and play in the centre in time? Yes. But right now, my thoughts and my plans are for him at right-back, where you can really see his pace opening teams up.”