Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor has been called up for England's play-off with Germany.
U21s prepared for Germany
Friday, 29 September 2006.
England v Germany
UEFA European U21 Championship Play-off
8pm, Friday 6 October 2006
Ricoh Arena, Coventry City FC
Ticket Hotline: 0870 421 1987
Group booking form
Charter Standard booking formProlific Charlton Athletic striker Darren Bent has been named in a strong England Under-21s squad for the forthcoming European Championships play-off against Germany.
Senior international Bent is among 24 players selected by Peter Taylor for the home and away matches against Germany. Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena will host the first leg on Friday 6 October with the return leg at the BayArena in Leverkusen on Tuesday 10 October.
Three new faces have been named in the squad with Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor, Middlesbrough’s Lee Cattermole and Gary Borrowdale of Crystal Palace receiving recognition for impressive starts to the season.
Arsenal’s teenage forward Theo Walcott is also included along with Preston’s David Nugent. Both have scored in each of their last two appearances for the Under-21s.
Coach Peter Taylor said: “Darren is a very popular lad and a great goalscorer. To win big matches like these you need top goalscorers and we have several in this squad.
“Nugent, Walcott and Jerome have done very well for the Under-21s this season and Agbonlahor is an exciting player who deserves his chance after a great start to the season for his new manager.
“As well as being goalscorers, these are players who can also give us plenty of options in different attacking positions. Lee Cattermole is also a good midfielder who we are keen to have a look at.”
Taylor is looking forward to taking on Germany with a big crowd expected for the home tie in Coventry.
He said: “These are going to be massive games. Coventry is a great stadium and a really good pitch so we are looking forward to playing there.
“Any England – Germany game is a terrific occasion and this should be no exception. We played them twice in qualifying for the last Championships and drew twice so we know they will be difficult opponents.”
The winner of the tie will progress to the eight-team European Championship finals tournament to be held in Holland in June next year.
Tickets are now on sale from the Ricoh Arena ticket office. Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions (under-16s, Senior Citizens).
The ticket office number is 0870 421 1987. Group discount rates are available in advance on TheFA.com.