U20s face Russia test

Russia v England
International Friendly
Krylia Sovetov, Moscow
16 August 2005

Dick Bate has named his England U20s squad for the friendly match away to Russia on 16 August.

The match is the first in the U20s' season and sees them in action for the first time since they finished in third place in the recent Toulon Tournament.

For coach Dick Bate the match represents an interesting exercise to see some players in action just as the season gets underway.

"I will be looking very closely at the players with the rest of the season in mind," Bate said. "Russia will provide us with a real test.

"Away games are never easy in international football and as well as the match itself, it will be good to get the players together to see how they get on as a group."

One member of the Toulon squad who is included in this squad is Preston North End striker David Nugent. The tall forward scored his first ever England goal in the last moments of the Third Place play-off against Mexico, a match which England went on to win on penalties.

Another player from the Toulon squad is young Barnsley goalkeeper Scott Flinders who broke into the Tykes' first team towards the end of last season.

Tottenham new boy Aaron Lennon (left), who is involved in international action for the first time since his summer switch from Leeds United, is one of three players - along with Billy Jones and Nathan Doyle - included who still qualify for the U19s side.

Bate continued: "For a lot of the players it is a first taste of international football and this reciprocal fixture gives them a perfect introduction to the England set-up whilst also allowing us the chance to see them in action.

"The U20s age group is a very useful exercise in that respect. Players who maybe weren't involved with last season's U19s get the chance to show us what they can do and press their claim for a place in the squad."

Chinedum Onuoha from Manchester City had initially been called-up but he has now been replaced by Fulham's Liam Fontaine and Lawrence Wilson has been replaced by Nathan Ashton.

England U20 Squad, v. Russia - 16 August 2005