Saturday, 14 February 2004.
David Platt has selected a 22-man squad for Tuesday's Under-21 Friendly International with Holland in Hull.
It's a relatively young England team as Platt begins preparations for the European Championship qualifiers starting in September, with seven having played at Under-21 level in the past.
Blackburn's recent signing Jon Stead is rewarded for his two goals in Rovers' last two outings with his first ever England call-up.
The 20 year-old, former Huddersfield Town striker started life in the Premiership in the best way possible last weekend as his goal against Middlesbrough earned his new side a vital 1-0 win. He followed that up on Wednesday night grabbing the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle and rounds off a great week with international selection for the first time.
Stead will be joined by Chelsea defender Glen Johnson, the most experienced campaigner on Platt's teamsheet. Having made six Under-21 appearances he added to that his first full-cap coming from the bench against Denmark in November's Senior Friendly.
Other names looking to add to their U21 caps are Carlton Cole, Darren Ambrose, Darren Bent, Nigel Reo-Coker, Andrew Davies and Lee Grant as Platt invites eight new faces into the fold.
Newcastle United's commanding young defender Steven Taylor takes another step up the ladder having already experienced international football at U16, U17 and U20 levels as other Premiership youngsters Matt Kilgallon, Stewart Downing, Justin Hoyte and Nicky Hunt join up also.
New-boys representing the Nationwide League in Platt's selection are Preston 'keeper Andrew Lonergan and Burnley's Richard Chaplow.
The Squad in full;
DARREN AMBROSE, Newcastle United
DEAN ASHTON, Crewe Alexandra
DARREN BENT, Ipswich Town
DAVID BENTLEY, Arsenal
SCOTT CARSON, Leeds United
RICHARD CHAPLOW, Burnley
MICHAEL CHOPRA, Nottingham Forest (loan)
CARLTON COLE, Charlton Athletic (loan)
ANDREW DAVIES, Middlesbrough
STEWART DOWNING, Middlesbrough
LEE GRANT, Derby County
GLEN JOHNSON, Chelsea
JUSTIN HOYTE, Arsenal
NICKY HUNT, Bolton Wanderers
MATT KILGALLON, Leeds United
ANDREW LONERGAN, Preston North End
NIGEL REO-COKER, West Ham United
LIAM RIDGEWELL, Aston Villa
JONATHAN STEAD, Blackburn Rovers
STEVEN TAYLOR, Newcastle United
JOHN WELSH, Liverpool
PETER WHITTINGHAM, Aston Villa