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Luke Garbutt stars in Wembley playoff

Luke Garbutt has put England duty on the back burner in a bid to help steer Cheltenham to glory in Sunday's npower League Two play-off final against Crewe at Wembley.

The left-back, on loan from Everton, was called up for Under-19 action as the Young Lions face a crucial triple-header against Slovenia, Montenegro and Switzerland.

But a fixture clash means Garbutt has put Town's promotion tilt first and his fledgling international career to one side for the time being.

The promising defender, who has represented England at Under-16, 17, 18 and 19 level, said: "I've spoken to both the gaffer at Cheltenham (Mark Yates) and the England manager (Noel Blake), and throughout all conversations they didn't want to not allow me to have that chance of playing at Wembley in the play-offs.

"Obviously as a player you don't get many opportunities, either to play at Wembley or in a play-off final. So for those two to come in my first full season being in a first team, it's one I want to cherish and be part of.

"He (Blake) didn't want to not let me have that opportunity."

Garbutt added: "I gave my views upon it and the gaffer (Yates) really wanted me to stay and play in the play-offs, so England said we're not going to let your opportunity go to waste."

The 19-year-old, who has made 36 appearances for the Robins this season, missed both legs of the semi-final triumph over Torquay due to a muscle strain.

But he returned to training on Monday and is now hoping to force his way into Town's starting line-up.

"That's the aim," Garbutt added. "Obviously it's everyone's dream to play at Wembley and I'll be doing all I can to get in the team.

"I've never played there before but I have been there when we won the European Championship Finals with England's Under-17s (in 2010), we paraded the trophy around the pitch at half-time.

"So it's going to be an exciting day, for sure."

It promises to be a close-fought affair, with just one spot separating sixth-placed Cheltenham and seventh-placed Crewe in the final league standings.

The Alex did, however, complete a league double over Town, including a 1-0 win at Gresty Road in late April — part of an intimidating club-record 18-match unbeaten run for the Cheshire outfit stretching back to February.

Highly-rated forward Nick Powell, heavily linked with a summer switch to Manchester United, has been influential in Crewe's promotion charge with 14 goals this season.

Garbutt acknowledges he and his team-mates will have to be on their guard to stop Powell, but insists Cheltenham — having won their last four on the spin — will also cause their own problems.

"He's a young player, he's their bright spark and he'll be someone we have to keep an eye on but I think we'll deal with him and we'll offer a threat as well," Garbutt said. "I think we'll take our game to them."  

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