John Peacock names his England U17 squad for crucial qualifiers in Burton and Walsall

UEFA European U17 Championship
Elite Qualifying Round
23-28 March 2013
Burton Albion FC & Walsall FC
Click here for fixtures

John Peacock has named his England U17s squad for the Euro Elite Qualifying Round on home soil this month.

The Young Lions host opposition from Portugal, Russia and Slovenia for a place in May’s Euro Championship Finals in Slovakia.

With only one team from the four heading to the Finals, it’s an important stage for England who include four under-age players in the squad.

Freddie Woodman, Joseph Gomez, Dan Crowley and Isaiah Brown are all eligible for next season’s U17 group, but Peacock has chose to call upon them for the Elite Round.

He said: “We are now getting to the crucial end of the season, which we have all been preparing for.

“The prize of reaching the UEFA U17 Finals is a significant one, with the top team here qualifying for this important event.”

Qualification for the Euro Finals will also provide an opportunity to seal a spot in the FIFA U17 World Cup, which is held in UAE later this year.

England kick-off their qualifiers against Portugal at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium on Saturday 23 March before facing Russia two days later at Burton’s Pirelli Stadium.

The final game against Slovenia is in Burton on Thursday 28 March.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn (Manchester City), Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United).

Defenders: Josh Aina (Chelsea), Joseph Gomez (Charlton Athletic), Priestley Griffiths (Middlesbrough)***, Connor Ogilvie (Tottenham Hotspur), Ben O'Hanlon (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Midfielders: Bamidele Alli (MK Dons), Kean Bryan (Manchester City), Charlie Colkett (Chelsea), Bryn Morris (Middlesbrough), Ruben Loftus Cheek (Chelsea), Dan Crowley (Aston Villa),

Attackers: Mason Bennett (Derby County), Bradley Fewster (Middlesbrough)*, Alex Gilliead (Newcastle United)** George Green (Everton), Alex Kiwomya (Chelsea),

* Replaces Isaiah Brown (West Bromwich Albion) who is withdrawn injured. 
** Replaces Jerome Sinclair (Liverpool) who is withdrawn injured.
*** Replaces Ashley Smith-Brown (Manchester City) who is withdrawn injured,

Tickets for the games against Russia and Slovenia can be purchased by calling the Burton Albion ticket office on 01283 565938, and for the Portugal game at Walsall call 01922 651 416 or click here to buy online.