England v Belgium
International Friendly
Williamson Motors Stadium, Darlington FC
06 September 2005, 7.30pm

Martin Hunter has named a 19-man squad for the England U19s' friendly international against Belgium in Darlington on 06 September.

England take on the Belgians in the first match of their 2005/06 season as they begin to look ahead to October's UEFA Friendly Tournament and the European Championship qualifiers thereafter.

"The main purpose of the game is to prepare the squad for the Friendly Tournament in Poland and eventually the qualifying campaign for the 2006 European U19 Championship," Hunter told TheFA.com.

"We are looking to build on the work that has been put in over the past few years at all levels in the England youth set-up and our goal, as ever is to reach the UEFA Finals. Things have gone well recently and we are ranked number one in Europe."

Hunter has named a strong squad, with many players having experienced first team football with their clubs. Though only David Wheater played for the U19s last season, most of the other players have played for England at some level in the past.

"We've got several players who haven't joined up," Hunter continued. "Lee Holmes and Mark Noble were away at the Euros for three weeks in the summer so with them not here it is a good chance to have a look at some other players.

"As well as those two, Aaron Lennon, Billy Jones and Nathan Ashton were all picked for the Under-20s and they are all quite experienced players so this match gives other players with less experience the chance to play."

There are a few new faces in the squad, including Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson, Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Joe Hart and Leeds United's Gavin Rothery.

"Adam has had a few injuries at Middlesbrough but he is a highly rated left-winger and we are looking forward to working with him," Hunter explained.

"Joe is a regular member of the Shrewsbury first team and has been scouted by our goalkeeping coaches. Ray Clemence, Martin Thomas and Tony Parkes have all had a look at him and he has done very well.

"It is a good opportunity for us to have a look at all of the new players in the squad and also for them to experience international football."

There are four players from last year's European U17s Championship squad included. Michael Mancienne, Scott Golbourne, Hogan Ephraim and James Vaughan all appeared for John Peacock's side last season and are a year above their age group.

"We are also looking at some of last year's Under-17s who have done particularly well just to see how they manage the step up to this level," Hunter continued.

"There is liaison between myself, John Peacock [U17s coach] and Dick Bate [U18s and U20s coach] and then all of us are in constant dialogue with Peter Taylor [U21s coach].

"Those four players put in some very good performances last season and deserve their chance to have a go at U19 level."

Middlesbrough defender David Wheater is the only player from last season's U19s squad who is in the squad this time around.

England U19 Squad v. Belgium, 06 September 2005

Player

Club

DOB

Caps

Goals

Ben Alnwick

Sunderland

01 Jan 87

0

0

Nathan Dyer

Southampton

29 Nov 87

0

0

Hogan Ephraim

West Ham United

31 Mar 88

0

0

Kerrea Gilbert

Arsenal

28 Feb 87

0

0

Scott Golbourne

Bristol City

29 Feb 88

0

0

Anthony Grant

Chelsea

04 Jun 87

0

0

Joseph Hart

Shrewsbury Town

19 Apr 87

0

0

Adam Johnson

Middlesbrough

14 July 87

0

0

Michael Mancienne

Chelsea

08 Jan 88

0

0

Ben Parker

Leeds United

08 Nov 87

0

0

Danny Guthrie

Liverpool

18 Apr 87

0

0

Kyle Reid

West Ham United

26 Nov 87

0

0

Gary Roberts

Crewe Alexandra

04 Feb 87

0

0

Fraizer Campbell

Manchester United

 13 Sept 87

0

0

James Smith

Chelsea

07 Jan 87

0

0

Richard Stearman

Leicester City

19 Aug 87

0

0

James Vaughan

Everton

14 July 88

0

0

James Walker

Charlton Athletic

25 Nov 87

0

0

Tom Clarke

Huddersfield

 21 Dec 87

0

0


Statistics up to date as start of 2005/06 season.
Statistics refer to caps/goals at Under-19 level only.