Sean O’Driscoll has named his England U19s squad for the upcoming match against Italy – keeping faith with 16 players who achieved three wins from three in the recent Euro qualifiers.
The Young Lions entertain Italy at Rotherham United’s New York Stadium on Friday 14 November.
Last month O’Driscoll took his side to Luxembourg for the first qualifying round of the European Championship, and they defeated Belarus 3-0, Luxembourg 8-0 and Belgium 4-2 to progress to the elite round.
England v Italy
U19s International Match
7.45pm, Friday 14 November
New York Stadium, Rotherham United
Live on BT Sport
Tickets are priced £3 adults, £1 children
And the former Bristol City and Doncaster Rovers manager has recalled 16 of that squad for next week’s meeting with the Azzurrini – including Fulham forward Patrick Roberts, Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Middlesbrough striker Bradley Fewster, who scored 11 goals between them in Luxembourg.
O’Driscoll said: “There is an exciting pool of talent in this age group.
“The squad has a good balance, there is strength in depth and people can play in different positions. The potential is there for this to be a really good team.
“Despite what people say about English footballers, on a technical level the players in this age group are as good as anything that’s out there in any country in the world. This is testament to the excellent work going on in the club academies where the players are nurtured.
“We only 'borrow' the players for a few days and in that short time are trying to mould the boys into an England team. The aim is to work with the clubs to ensure that the players' England experience is one they enjoy and is beneficial as part of each individual's overall development.”
There is a first call-up for Everton goalkeeper Russell Griffiths while Manchester City duo Angus Gunn and Kean Bryan both return after being forced to withdraw from the last squad through injury.
The draw for the elite qualifying round of the Euros will take place on Wednesday 3 December.
Tickets for the Italy match cost £3 for adults and £1 for U16s. Click here to buy yours
Squad for Italy match
Goalkeepers
Angus Gunn (Manchester City), Russell Griffiths (Everton), Ted Smith (Southend United),
Defenders
Ola Aina (Chelsea), Kean Bryan (Manchester City), Reece Burke (West Ham), Ben Chilwell (Leicester City), Brendan Galloway (Everton), Ashley Smith-Brown (Man City)
Midfielders
Dele Alli (MK Dons), Charlie Colkett (Chelsea), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), Bryn Morris (Middlesbrough), Harry Winks (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards
Brandon Barker (Manchester City), Isaiah Brown (Chelsea), Bradley Fewster (Middlesbrough), Alex Kiwomya (Chelsea), Patrick Roberts (Fulham).
* Robert Dickie (Reading) replaces Reece Burke
