ENGLAND

Rose 40'

PORTUGAL

Wembley Stadium, London 14 November 2009 12:30 (BST) 1 - 0 Official Thorsten Kinhofer Att 33833

Men's Under-21 Team

Pearce picks 22 for Wembley qualifier

Wednesday, 04 November, 2009

Stuart Pearce names his squad for this month's double-header

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Stuart Pearce has named his squad for the crucial Under-21 qualifier with Portugal at Wembley next week.

After a stunning 6-3 victory over Macedonia last month the Three Lions sit in second place in their 2011 UEFA European Qualifying Group, with two games in hand on early leaders Greece and will be looking to capitalise on their home advantage over strong opposition on Saturday 14 November.

There is a recall for Manchester City’s Michael Johnson, although the squad has been hit with injuries in the build-up to the game with the Arsenal duo of Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere unable to join-up for the double-header as the side also prepare to face Lithuania in Vilnius on Tuesday 17 November.

Speaking on the injury situation, Coach Pearce said: “Jack came in at the start of this season with a substitute appearance in Holland and has since had a couple of starts doing very well in each game, so he’ll be disappointed he’s missed this one that’s for sure.

“I’d think anyone that’s unfortunate enough to miss out in this squad will be very disappointed. But we’ll be monitoring Jack and Theo’s situations. If they recover a little bit quicker than expected, then we might review the squad, but it’s a shame for them.

“On the other side of things Michael Johnson has had a massive absence from injury for a long, long time, so being in the squad will be a big lift for him.”

The game at Wembley will be a massive occasion for some of the newer members of the squad, and is only the third time the Under 21s have stepped out under the arch at the home of football.

“Coming here it gives the game a little bit more significance, if it needed it,” added Pearce. “The important thing is to give these players the experience of Wembley. It’s served us well in the past with the likes of Agbonlahor and Milner, who have since gone on to the senior squad. This is why we’re doing it, so these young players get a feel for the national stadium and what it’s like, so hopefully sometime in the future a few of these will be stepping out for the seniors.

“Whilst most of them won’t know yet what it’s like to play a senior international match, at least they can get a feel of the stadium, the crowd, and the importance of needing to win the match.

“It’ll be a great atmosphere with over 30,000 people in the ground, our biggest crowd in two and a half years since we played Italy at Wembley. It shows that people want to come and watch the Under-21s, but also come to this stadium and see a live match here at ticket prices that are fantastic for everyone to afford.”

England v Portugal is a fixed capacity event and all available seats for this fixture have now been sold.

The England Squad

GOALKEEPERS

DOB

Caps

Goals

Frankie Fielding

04.04.88

Leeds United (loan from Blackburn)

Scott Loach

27.05.88

Watford

Alex McCarthy

03.12.89