Billy Kee's education continues with Ireland call-up

Leicester City striker Billy Kee has been called up to the Northern Ireland Under-21 squad for the internationals against Germany and the Czech Republic.

The 18-year-old, who is currently on loan at League Two club Accrington Stanley, is in the squad for the European Under-21 Championship qualifiers in Belfast on November 13 and 17.

It will be a welcome break for Kee from the problems Stanley are currently experiencing.

The cash-strapped club looked to be on the brink of going out of business after being slapped with a demand for over £300,000 by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

But they avoided a winding up order yesterday by paying off the debt following a restructuring of the club.

Kee's father, Terry, admits it isn't an ideal situation for his Leicester-born son. "Billy is doing all right at Stanley, although he is in and out of the side," he said.

"I think he is really looking forward to joining up with the Irish squad because it is another opportunity to get more experience and some good match action.

"Obviously, the events at Accrington have created a lot of uncertainty but he is sticking it out and it is an education for him.

"Billy is on a learning curve and the internationals will be another great experience for him."

Kee has featured 11 times for Stanley, eight times as a substitute, and has scored one goal, which came against Darlington in September.

He has eight Northern Ireland under-19 caps and one under-21 cap, and was called into the full squad for the first time in September, but did not make his full debut.