England Under-21s squad named for double header

The Three Lions head coach has selected a 22-man group for the double header which begins in Burnley and ends in Brest.

And with the first game against Portugal taking place at Turf Moor, Southgate will be pleased to welcome back Burnley duo Danny Ings and Nathaniel Chalobah, who both missed last month’s Euro play-off win through injury.

With top scorer Saido Berahino called into Roy Hodgson’s senior squad, there is a first call-up for AFC Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson who has scored nine goals in the Championship this season.

And there is also a first England call for Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, who has caught Southgate’s eye with his performances in the Championship this season.

The squad will meet up at St. George’s Park on Monday to start their preparations for what Southgate knows will be two competitive games for his side. 

They start against Portugal at Turf Moor on Thursday 13 November before travelling to Brittany for the match with France on Monday 17 November.

Portugal will be joining England at next summer’s Euro Finals in Czech Republic after winning all ten of their games in qualifying, whilst France just missed out after losing to Sweden last month.

Meanwhile, Southgate will be in Prague for Thursday evening's Euro draw, when England will find out who they will face in the group stage of next June’s Finals.

The squad

Goalkeepers: Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham), Jonathan Bond (Watford), Jack Butland (Derby County, loan from Stoke City).

Defenders: Luke Garbutt (Everton), Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough), Carl Jenkinson (West Ham United, loan from Arsenal), Michael Keane (Burnley, loan from Manchester United), Jamaal Lascelles (Nottingham Forest, loan from Newcastle United), Liam Moore (Leicester City), Jack Robinson (Huddersfield Town, loan from QPR).

Midfielders: Tom Carroll (Swansea City, loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Nathaniel Chalobah (Burnley, loan from Chelsea), Jake Forster-Caskey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Will Hughes (Derby County), Thomas Ince (Nottingham Forest, loan from Hull City), Alex Pritchard (Brentford, loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Nathan Redmond (Norwich City).

Forwards: Patrick Bamford (Middlesbrough, loan from Chelsea), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Ings (Burnley), Callum Wilson (AFC Bournemouth), Cauley Woodrow (Fulham).

Tickets for the game at Turf Moor cost just £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. Call 01282 700003 for more details.

Click here to apply for group bookings for 15 people or more (no age restrictions and bookable in advance only): £5 adults and £2.50 concessions.

And Charter Standard clubs clubs can apply for group bookings via the attached form here.