Squad named for Slovakia trip
By Nicholas Veevers
Friday, 04 November, 2011
18-man squad picked for trip to Slovakia.
England U18s will play their first game of the season later this month when they travel to Slovakia on 15 November and Head Coach Noel Blake has picked his 18-man squad for the trip.
Whilst not a 'competition' year, the U18s offers a chance to keep last season's U17s group together following their run to the European Championship semi-final and the World Cup quarter final before they move into another competition as U19s next season.
The game also gives Blake a chance to look at a few new faces and he has picked a number of players who will be involved with England for the first time in the shape of Manchester United goalkeeper Jonathan Sutherland, Stoke City forward Jordan Agbaje, Manchester City's Jordie Hiwula and Everton defender Eric Dier, currently on loan from Sporting Lisbon.
Aside from that, the majority of the squad is made up of players who performed so well for John Peacock's U17s in the 2010-11 campaign.
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Sunderland), Jonathan Sutherland (Manchester United).
Defenders: Jordan Cousins (Charlton Athletic), Adam Jackson (Middlesbrough), Sam Magri (Portsmouth), Tyler Blackett (Manchester United), Eric Dier (Everton), Courtney Meppen Walters (Manchester City).
Midfielders: John Lundstram (Everton), Jake Caskey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Matthias Fanimo (West Ham United), Max Clayton (Crewe Alexandra). Jordan Lussey (Liverpool)*.
Forwards: Hallam Hope (Everton), Nathan Redmond (Birmingham City), Blair Turgott (West Ham United), Jordan Agbaje (Stoke City), Jordie Hiwula (Manchester City).
* Replaces Nick Powell (Crewe Alexandra) in the squad.