Folarin Balogun was forced off in the first half of England’s u21 match against Georgia on Tuesday, but his manager says it wasn’t an injury.

BURNLEY, ENGLAND: Folarin Balogun of England scores the third goal during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier match between England U21s and Czech Republic U21s on November 11, 2021. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND: Folarin Balogun of England scores the third goal during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier match between England U21s and the Czech Republic U21s on November 11, 2021. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun went down after just half an hour of England’s u21 friendly against Georgia on Tuesday.

The incident happened away from the play, and he wasn’t limping or holding a body part, so it wasn’t clear what the problem was. But it was serious enough to force a substitution.

Afterwards, England u21 boss Lee Carsley explained that it wasn’t an injury, just a stomach bug.

“He had stomach cramps so he was struggling in the first half with that and we took him off,” Carsley said.

“He’s not injured, he just had a bit of a stomach bug.”

Earlier in the break, Balogun had scored his first goal on his first start for the England u21s in their vital Euro u21 qualifier against the Czech Republic.

That win leaves England just three points off the top of the group with two games in hand.

Fortunately, the Georgia game was only a friendly, so it didn’t matter that England lost 3-2 in Balogun’s absence.

Arsenal u23 coach Kevin Betsy will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief that Balogun is fit, as he’s been the youth team’s main man over the last few months.

Balogun has 10 goals and four assists in the Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy so far this season.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Flo Balogun of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Salah Oulad M'Hand after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal U23 and Brighton & Hove Albion U23 at Emirates Stadium on October 01, 2021. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Flo Balogun of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Salah Oulad M’Hand after scoring the team’s first goal during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal U23 and Brighton & Hove Albion U23 at Emirates Stadium on October 01, 2021. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)

Balogun’s captained the u23s to the top of the table and the u21s to the EFL Trophy knockout stages, one of just three u21 teams to make it out of the group.

The striker believes he’s ready for a new challenge now, whether that’s a loan or more first-team opportunities. But he told the media he’s willing to wait and trust in Mikel Arteta’s plan for him.