On the afternoon that Coach David Platt named his starting line-up for the match at West Ham United on Tuesday night, Ameobi was ruled out as a precaution with swelling around the knee.

However, Platt has a very experienced squad to choose from and starts with Francis Jeffers alongside Hammers' striker Jermain Defoe upfront.

Glen Johnson makes a swift return to his former East London home too. The Chelsea full-back helped the Blues to a 2-1 win at Anfield on Sunday and, little more than a month after leaving for Stamford Bridge, makes Platt's XI for the game at Upton Park.

The 11 names chosen by manager David Platt have a total of 131 caps with David Prutton, Jermain Defoe and skipper Gareth Barry playing 68 times between them.

Four of Platt's starting line-up have also represented England at full level - Barry, Jermaine Jenas, Paul Konchesky and Francis Jeffers.

Overall, there are four changes from the side that beat Slovakia 2-0 in June. Goalkeeper Matt Murray and Jeffers return from injury, Jenas comes back from the senior squad while Johnson is promoted from the bench.

The Croatia game is being used by the Under-21s as preparation for their Euro 2004 double-header against Macedonia and Portugal in September.

The team in full is;

Matt Murray, Stuart Parnaby, Paul Konchesky, Jermaine Jenas, Peter Clarke, Glen Johnson, Jermaine Pennant, David Prutton, Francis Jeffers, Jermain Defoe, Gareth Barry.

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