England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce has included Arsenal star Theo Walcott, Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor and Manchester City defender Micah Richards in his squad to face Azerbaijan at stadiummk next month.
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The Premier League trio, regulars with Fabio Capello's senior squad, have been named in an extremely strong 23-man party that will also travel to this summer's UEFA Under-21 European Championship in Sweden.
City 'keeper Joe Hart, Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs, Newcastle's Steven Taylor, Villa's James Milner and West Ham United's Mark Noble are other high-profile inclusions.
England Under-21s face Azerbaijan at stadiummk on Monday 8th June in their final warm-up match ahead of this summer's tournament. It's a competition Pearce's side are keen to well in - a feeling underlined by the strength of squad selected.
Pearce said: "We are very pleased with the overall balance of the squad, we have three or four players who are extremely versatile and can play in a number of positions.
"We also have a young squad with the players such as [Fabrice] Muamba, [Lee] Cattermole, Gibbs, [Danny] Welbeck and [Jack] Rodwell all being available for the next campaign, so this experience will be vital for them.
"They may be young, but they have all had good experience with their clubs this season and we believe they are the finished articles at this level."
Hearts winger Andrew Driver has also been selected in the party alongside West Ham's James Tomkins, both players winning their first call ups for the Under-21 squad.
Pearce said of the pair: "We have a couple of new faces in the squad this time around. Andrew has benefited from Aaron Lennon's injury in a way and has come off a good season with Hearts up in Scotland. He will provide us with natural width which is something we needed in the squad alongside the likes of Adam Johnson and James Milner.
"James Tomkins has come through the England youth ranks, had a good season at West Ham and this tournament experience will be invaluable to him."
Under-21 regulars including Tom Huddlestone, Jamie O'Hara, David Wheater, Matt Derbyshire and Lennon will all miss the tournament through injuries and Pearce admitted: "It is bitterly disappointing for the boys missing out, particularly players that have done well for the team and have worked hard to get us here, but we can't affect that now. We have to concentrate on the 23 players that will be on that plane."
England will leave for their Spain training camp shortly and will return to play Azerbaijan in Milton Keynes on the 8th June. England will kick off their tournament against Finland in Halmstad on 15th June and will also play Spain and Germany in Group B.
Pearce added: "I have every confidence in this squad, we are really looking forward to competing with the best Under-21 teams in Europe, and hopefully, doing our country proud with our performances. It should be a fantastic tournament."
GOALKEEPERS
Joe Hart - Manchester City
Joe Lewis - Peterborough United
Scott Loach - Watford
DEFENDERS
Martin Cranie - Portsmouth
Kieran Gibbs - Arsenal
Michael Mancienne - Chelsea
Nedum Onuoha - Manchester City
Micah Richards - Manchester City
Andrew Taylor - Middlesbrough
Steven Taylor - Newcastle United
James Tomkins - West Ham United
MIDFIELDERS
Lee Cattermole - Wigan Athletic
Andrew Driver - Hearts
Craig Gardner - Aston Villa
Adam Johnson - Middlesbrough
James Milner - Aston Villa
Fabrice Muamba - Bolton Wanderers
Mark Noble - West Ham United
Jack Rodwell - Everton
FORWARDS
Theo Walcott - Arsenal
Gabriel Agbonlahor - Aston Villa
Frazier Campbell - Tottenham Hotspur (on loan)
Danny Welbeck - Manchester United
Tickets for the game against Azerbaijan at stadiummk are currently on general sale from the MK Dons Online Ticket Service or from the MK Dons Box Office at stadiummk. Call 01908 622900 to purchase yours now.
Tickets are priced £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for concessions (Over 60's and Under-16s).
Groups Tickets: Half-price for minimum of 15 people, with at least one adult per 10 children, click here for group booking form.
Charter Standard Clubs and Schools can apply for 25 tickets per club / school, click here for Charter Standard booking form.
Media Advisory
For all media requesting accreditation to this England International friendly fixture, please email anthony.herlihy@mkdons.com by 3rd June 2009.
| The MK Dons Box Office at stadiummk is open Monday to Friday from 10.00am until 5.00pm. Supporters ordering tickets by phone must provide formal identification upon collection. Tickets can only be collected by the credit card holder purchasing the tickets. For more information call the Box Office hotline on 01908 622900. | |
