Real Madrid's Martin Odegaard named in Norway U21s squad

Real Madrid youngster Martin Odegaard is among seven members of the Norway Under-21 squad to face England next month to have already been capped at senior level.

The Three Lions host the Scandinavians in Colchester on Tuesday 6 September in what is a crucial match in the qualification race for next summer’s Euro Finals in Poland.

And Norway coach Leif Gunnar Smerud has been able to name rising star Odegaard in his 18-man squad, who will face Bosnia & Herzegovina on 2 September before making their way to Essex for the game with Gareth Southgate’s side.

Joining Odegaard in the squad are strikers Mohamed Elyounoussi and Alexander Sørloth, midfielders Mats Møller Dæhli, Anders Trondsen and Iver Fossum and defender Thomas Grøgaard, who have all been capped at senior level.

Odegaard, Fossum and Grøgaard all played against England when they met in the first match of the qualifying campaign a year ago, when a penalty from captain James Ward-Prowse was enough to seal the three points for England.

Norway currently sit in third place in Group 9 behind England and Switzerland, so September’s double header in Sarajevo and Colchester is vital for their hopes of sealing automatic qualification to next summer’s Finals.

Odegaard speaks to fans after the defeat against England in Drammen last September

The squad

Goalkeepers: Sondre Rossbach (Odd), Mathias Dyngeland (Sogndal) 

Defenders: Kristoffer Haraldseid (Haugesund), Thomas Grøgaard (Odd), Jonas Grønner (Brann), Ulrik Yttergård Jenssen (Tromsø), Birger Meling (Stabæk) 

Midfielders: Iver Fossum (Hannover 96), Petter Strand (Molde), Ghayas Zahid (Vålerenga), Fredrik Aursnes (Molde), Morten Thorsby (Heerenveen), Anders Trondsen (Sarpsborg 08), Martin Ødegaard (Real Madrid Castilla), Mats Møller Dæhli (Freiburg), Sander Berge (Vålerenga) 

Forwards: Mohamed Elyounoussi (Basel), Alexander Sørloth (Groningen)

The England squad for the game was named by Southgate on Thursday, with a 24-man group set to meet up next week to begin their preparations.

Tickets for the game at Colchester are on sale now, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. Click here to buy tickets or call 0845 437 9089.

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