England U20s are in action against Poland and Portugal in March in their latest Euro Elite League fixtures.
Paul Simpson has named a 23-man squad for the double header which sees the Young Lions face Poland at St. George’s Park* on Thursday 21 March before they head to Penafiel for their match with Portugal on Tuesday 26 March.
The Young Lions will be hoping to build on their impressive victory over Germany last time out, when goals from Lukas Nmecha and Joe Willock secured a 2-0 win in Colchester in November.
And head coach Simpson has kept faith with the majority of that group along with the addition of Burnley’s Dwight McNeil and Norwich City's Ben Godfrey to the squad.
McNeil had previously trained with the group ahead of that game in November and is now included following his impressive performances for the Clarets since the turn of the year, while it's a first call-up at any level for ex York City midfielder Godfrey who has been a squad regular for the Canaries in their promotion push from the Championship this term.
“We’re going into these games with a very strong squad,” said Simpson.
“It’s a very similar squad to our previous camps this season, apart from a few players successfully going up to the U21s, and it’s good to have that consistency.
“We’re expecting two tough games. Poland are coming with their U21 Talent ID group and Portugal are recognised as one of the best U20 teams in Europe, so we know that these matches will be a good test for us.
“The main objectives for us is for our players to continue their development in international football, along with preparing for this summer’s Toulon Tournament.”
The squad
Goalkeepers: Brandon Austin (Tottenham Hotspur), Ellery Balcombe (Boreham Wood, loan from Brentford), Ryan Schofield (Notts County, loan from Huddersfield Town)
Defenders: Reece James (Wigan Athletic, loan from Chelsea), Morgan Feeney (Everton)*, Tom Pearce (Scunthorpe United, loan from Leeds United), Easah Suliman (Aston Villa), Dujon Sterling (Coventry City, loan from Chelsea)*, Josh Tymon (Stoke City)^, Ben Wilmot (Udinese, loan from Watford)
Midfielders: Flynn Downes (Ipswich Town), Andre Dozzell (Ipswich Town), Sam Field (West Bromwich Albion), Ben Godfrey (Norwich City), Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough), Ronaldo Vieira (Sampdoria), Joe Willock (Arsenal)
Forwards: Eberechi Eze (Queens Park Rangers), Grady Diangana (West Ham United), George Hirst (OH Leuven), Dwight McNeil (Burnley), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal).
^ Replaces Adam Lewis (Liverpool) who is withdrawn injured.
* Trevoh Chalobah (Ipswich Town, loan from Chelsea), Tom Edwards (Stoke City), Elliott Embleton (Grimsby Town, loan from Sunderland)
*Invited guests only
