New York City FC's Jack Harrison can improve England U21s - Aidy Boothroyd

New York City FC midfielder Jack Harrison has plenty to offer the England under-21 side, according to manager Aidy Boothroyd.

Harrison, 20, was called up by England under-21s for the first time last week for the upcoming Euro 2019 qualifiers against Scotland on Friday and Andorra on Tuesday.

The NYCFC man, who moved from England to the United States in 2011, has scored 10 goals and registered six assists with the Major League Soccer club in the MLS Eastern Conference this season.

"It shows you the pathway has changed or is changing," Boothroyd is quoted as saying by Sky Sports. "There's no hard or fast route [for call-ups]. Some go abroad and play and now we have someone who goes away, ends up playing for New York City and does really well.

"He's been doing really well for New York and he's been playing with one or two reasonable players after the tweets we've seen. He's one we've been aware of for about a year. He first came on our radar from some of the scouting, we had a look and did our due diligence on him.

"If his stats are where they are in terms of his goals and assists, and we've watched a few games remotely, he looks like someone who could add to us."

Harrison had to pay for his own flight to link up with England this week, having almost being grounded by missing his original booking.

"He looks better than fine in the group, especially as he's just got off a plane," Boothroyd added. "He actually missed his first plane but we managed to get him in. He's spent most of his time asleep -- although that may be to avoid my meetings. He's a good sort."

Harrison, who plays alongside World Cup winners David Villa and Andrea Pirlo at NYCFC, has been labelled the "Golden Boy" by his club teammates.

"It [the nickname] must be nice for him," Boothroyd said.