Squad named for double header
Tuesday, 24 August, 2010
Stuart Pearce selects 24 man group to face Portugal and Lithuania.
England Under-21 Head Coach Stuart Pearce has named his squad for next month's crucial UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifying games.
The Young Lions travel to face Portugal in Barcelos on Friday 3 September (kick-off 6pm), before facing Lithuania at Colchester United's Weston Homes Community Stadium on Tuesday 7 September (kick-off 4pm) knowing that they need to win both matches in order to stand a chance of qualifying for next summer's Finals.
Pearce has named a 24-man squad for the two games, with Jack Wilshere back in the group following his elevation to the Senior squad for the game with Hungary earlier in August.
There is also a first time Under-21 call-up for Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies, who has been in good form for Lee Clark's side over the last two seasons.
Players such as Martin Kelly, Jordan Henderson, Phil Jones, Marc Albrighton and Victor Moses retain their places in the squad following their Under-21 debuts against Uzbekistan earlier this month whilst Nathan Delfouneso is back in the group after making a goalscoring debut for Pearce's team against Greece in March.
"It's the strongest squad we could have got at this stage of the season,” said Pearce.
“Kieran Gibbs aside, we’re looking pretty strong.
“I was very impressed with the contribution of the players in the last match and the majority of those players are in, with one or two additions on top of that.”
With two back-to-back games, Pearce has opted to pick three goalkeepers and that sees the inclusion of stopper Smithies who has previously been capped at U16, U17, U18 and U19 level.
"He's had a lot of experience at Huddersfield over the last couple of years and is a goalkeeper who can play again in the next campaign for us,” explained Pearce.
“We feel he has done extremely well when we've seen him and even though he's young, he's played a lot of matches which is similar to Joe Hart when he was playing for Shrewsbury for a couple of years before he went to Manchester City.”
Pearce is also keen for Wilshere to put his Senior team experience to good use and help England to the desired results in both games.
"Jack's had the experience of an international cap with the Seniors and his development will come,” he added.
“Like Theo Walcott, I think having the experience of playing with the Under-21s and Seniors will be a help to him and is something he will have to come to terms with.
"He shouldn't feel disappointed that he's been in the Senior squad and then come back to the Under-21s and that's the mentality that he has to come to the squad with.”
Tickets for the match at Colchester United are available from via the Colchester United Ticket Office in person, on 0845 437 9089, via the club’s ticket website www.colutickets.com, or from the club’s town centre shop U’s Central on Sir Isaac’s Walk, Colchester.
A discount applies for groups of 15 or more, with prices reduced to £5 (adults) and £2.50 (concessions). For more information call 0845 437 9089, or email
ticketing@colchesterunited.net
Group Booking Form,
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Charter Standard Booking Form,
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The Squad
Goalkeepers |
D.O.B |
Club |
Frankie Fielding |
04/04/1988 |
Blackburn Rovers |
Scott Loach |
27/05/1988 |
Watford |
Alex Smithies |
05/03/1990 |
Huddersfield Town |
Defenders |
|
|
Ryan Bertrand |
05/08/1989 |
Nottingham Forest (on loan from Chelsea) |
Phil Jones |
21/02/1992 |
Blackburn Rovers |
Martin Kelly |
27/04/1990 |
Liverpool |
Michael Mancienne |
08/01/1988 |
Chelsea |
Micah Richards |
24/06/1988 |
Manchester City |
Chris Smalling |
22/11/1989 |
Manchester United |
Kyle Walker |
28/05/1990 |
Tottenham Hotspur |
Midfielders |
|
|
Marc Albrighton |
18/11/1989 |
Aston Villa |
Tom Cleverley |
12/08/1989 |
Manchester United |
Jack Cork |
25/06/1989 |
Burnley (on loan from Chelsea) |
Jordan Henderson |
17/06/1990 |
Sunderland |
Henri Lansbury |
12/10/1990 |
Arsenal |
Victor Moses* |
12/12/1990 |
Wigan Athletic |
Fabrice Muamba |
06/04/1988 |
Bolton Wanderers |
Jack Rodwell |
11/05/1991 |
Everton |
Danny Rose |
02/06/1990 |
Tottenham Hotspur |
Jack Wilshere |
01/01/1992 |
Arsenal |
Forwards |
|
|
Andy Carroll |
06/01/1989 |
Newcastle United |
Nathan Delfouneso |
02/02/1991 |
Aston Villa |
Daniel Sturridge |
01/09/1989 |
Chelsea |
Danny Welbeck |
26/11/1990 |
Sunderland (on loan from Manchester United) |
* Withdrawn injured.
So the young players picked for the friendly against Hungary WAS a PR stunt to keep the fans quiet. What happened to giving youth a chance.
Why is Jack Wilshere back in the under 21's after being called up for the senior squad against Hungary, what about Andy Carroll, Danny Wellbeck, Jack Rodwell??????????? surely they are now good enough.
But no, we are going to be stuck with the same under performers that we have had for the last 8-10 years. Our world cup flops
Well done the FA, I rather think that the under 21's have a better chance of qualifying and winning their tournament than the tried and failed senior squad.
By England4eva (17 months ago)