Under-21s train in Groningen
Jamie Bradbury in Groningen
Tuesday, 11 August, 2009
Stuart Pearce's 19-man squad train at the Euroborg Stadium
England Under-21s were back in training for their first session of the new season, as Stuart Pearce prepares his latest group of players for their opening game of the campaign.
The 19-man squad featured eight of the players involved in the summer's UEFA European Championship in Sweden, and they arrived in Holland on Monday afternoon ready to take on the Dutch at the impressive Euroborg Stadium in Groningen.
The arena, which holds just over 22,500, is home to Dutch Eredivisie outfit FC Groningen in the very north of the country and was also the venue for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship when Holland beat Serbia 4-1.
During the hour-long session the players looked lively and keen to impress with their first two qualifiers for Denmark 2011 coming up at the start of September. Fulham defender Chris Smalling, Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll and West Ham pair Junior Stanislas and Freddie Sears, who is on loan at Palace, looked to be enjoying themselves in their first call-up at this level. Meanwhile Arsenal's young midfielder Jack Wilshere took part in his first session with the Under-21s after being brought up from the U20s, who are playing Montenegro at West Brom on Tuesday night.
Watch the full interview in video by clicking on the icon in the top right of the screen or flick through the images for a gallery from the training session
We'll be bringing you updates from the match in Groningen from 6.30pm (BST). To follow the Under-21s throughout the new campaign, log on to TheFA.com/England, or become a Fan of the team on Facebook.