Under-21s squad update
Friday, 25 March, 2011
With Richards out injured, Pearce calls in Spence.
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See England's next home game against Iceland in Preston on 28 March
England Under-21s enjoyed a rest day in Preston on Friday, ahead of their penultimate friendly fixture of the season with Iceland at Deepdale on Monday evening (click here for ticket details).
The Three Lions, fresh from their success over Denmark in Viborg, where they beat their hosts 4-0, have now turned their attentions to the match against another of the eight Euro 2011 Finalists at Preston North End, 7.45pm.
However, they will go in to the game missing captain Micah Richards, who has returned to Manchester City, following a hamstring injury he picked up in the early stages on last night’s victory over the Danish.
Stuart Pearce has also allowed five other players to return to their clubs with a busy schedule of domestic games coming up. Sunderland duo Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck, Manchester United's Chris Smalling and Bolton Wanderers pair Fabrice Muamba and Daniel Sturridge, who all played the majority of the match in Viborg on Thursday.
Steven Caulker (Bristol City) and Jon Howson (Leeds United) will also remain with their clubs through injury.
Defender Jordan Spence – on loan at Bristol City from West Ham United – will now join the squad.
Prior to this fixture Stuart Pearce had also hinted he would use the game as an opportunity to play some of the players who did not start in the Denmark fixture, whilst resting some of those that did feature in Viborg, as he plans for this summer's UEFA European Championship.
Speaking at an FA Tesco Skills event in Lancashire on Friday, that was also attended by players Tom Cleverley and Nathan Delfouneso, assistant coach Steve Wigley said: “There are some players that played last night that won’t play on Monday night.”
Tickets for the game at Deepdale are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children.
To buy visit the ticket office at Deepdale, call 0844 856 1966 or online at www.mypne.com .
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