England MU21s head coach Aidy Boothroyd has named his squad for November’s away double-header against Albania and the Netherlands.
The Young Lions resume their U21 EURO qualifying campaign on Friday 15 November when they face the Albanians in Shkoder (6pm GMT), where they will be hoping to build on what’s been a promising start with three wins from three against Turkey, Kosovo and Austria.
It’s then on to Doetinchem, where they will test themselves against the Dutch in a non-competition fixture on Tuesday 19 November. That game will also be shown live on BT Sport 1.
Boothroyd's 24-man squad is boosted by the return from injury of Tottenham Hotspur's Ryan Sessegnon for his first call-up of the season, while there’s also spots for Ben Godfrey, Mason Greenwood, Reiss Nelson and Reece James who all missed October’s games through knocks.
There’s also a place in the squad for forwards Grady Diangana and Ebere Eze, following their impressive form in the Championship for West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers respectively.
“These are two really difficult games and trips which will be a good challenge for the team," said Boothroyd.
“Albania are well-organised, physically strong, they will be difficult to break down and a threat on the counter-attack. But it’s a chance for us to consolidate our position at the top of the qualification group ahead of the big international break.
“We’re also pleased to play an excellent side in the Netherlands, who are really re-emerging on the international stage. They’re doing good work across their youth teams, they won this year’s U17 Euros, in quarter-finals of the U17 World Cup and were runners-up in the Nations League at senior level. They’re top opposition and good development for our players to face them.
“We’ve got a pretty steady squad from the last games. We’ve lost a few players through injury but it’s giving other players an opportunity to be involved and we’re looking forward to really putting ourselves to the test in these two matches.”
The group will meet up at St. George’s Park on Monday to begin their preparations, before heading to Albania for the first game later in the week.
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Brandon Austin (Tottenham Hotspur), Ellery Balcombe (Viborg FF, loan from Brentford), Aaron Ramsdale (AFC Bournemouth)
Defenders: Max Aarons (Norwich City), Trevoh Chalobah (Huddersfield Town, loan from Chelsea), Ben Godfrey (Norwich City), Marc Guehi (Chelsea), Reece James (Chelsea), James Justin (Leicester City), Lloyd Kelly (AFC Bournemouth), Jonathan Panzo (Cercle Bruges, loan from AS Monaco)
Midfielders: Tom Davies (Everton), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Conor Gallagher (Charlton Athletic, loan from Chelsea), Dwight McNeil (Burnley), Oliver Skipp (Tottenham Hotspur), Joe Willock (Arsenal)
Forwards: Rhian Brewster (Liverpool), Grady Diangana (West Bromwich Albion, loan from West Ham United), Ebere Eze (Queens Park Rangers), Mason Greenwood (Manchester United), Reiss Nelson (Arsenal), Sam Surridge (Swansea City, loan from AFC Bournemouth), Ryan Sessegnon (Tottenham Hotspur)
