England U20s squad named for Mexico and USA games

The England Under-20s squad to face Mexico and USA next week has been named by head coach Aidy Boothroyd.

A 22-man group has been selected for the home double-header, with Mexico visiting the Hive, home of Barnet, on Wednesday 25 March.

And then it is down to Devon to face USA at Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park on Sunday 29 March.

Following November's draws against Canada and Portugal, the squad contains a number of new faces with Boothroyd keen to assess more of his options looking ahead to this summer’s Toulon Tournament.

There is a first England call-up at any level for Brentford defender Moses Odubajo, who has impressed with his form for the Championship side this season and also for Derby County's versatile midfielder Jamie Hanson.

And there are seven players other named in an U20s squad for the first time, after previously being capped at U19 level.

Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Nottingham Forest midfielder Ben Osborn, Leicester City’s Jack Barmby and Leeds United’s Alex Mowatt will all join up.

And there are three players currently on loan at Swindon Town selected, with Southampton duo Jordan Turnbull and Jack Stephens and Norwich City left-back Harry Toffolo included to join current club-mate and U20s regular John Swift in the squad.

"It has been four months since we were last together and after an excellent start to a new team’s campaign we are now finding our players dotted around the Football League and Premier League, which will only add to their experience when they play for England," said Boothroyd. 

"We are now looking forward to building on that momentum with the double-header against USA and Mexico.

"Our opponents this March have been carefully selected as we continue to provide the players with a full and varied development programme.

"Both USA and Mexico will be competing in the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand, and both fixtures promise to be challenging encounters for us. Each challenge will require maximum concentration and discipline from every player. Another invaluable lesson for them in their future careers."

With teams heading to Toulon in May able to use players born in 1993 and beyond, there are six 'over-age' players for these games with Pickford, Odubajo, Osborn, Barmby, Turnbull and Stephens all born prior to 1995.

Tickets for both games are still on sale, priced at £3 for adults and £1.50. Call 0208 381 3800 for tickets at the Hive, and 0845 872 3335 for the game in Plymouth.

The squad

Goalkeepers: Christian Walton (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jordan Pickford (Sunderland)

Defenders: Dominic Iorfa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Moses Odubajo (Brentford), Dominic Ball (Cambridge United - loan from Spurs), Baily Cargill (AFC Bournemouth), Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jordan Turnbull (Swindon Town - loan from Southampton), Harry Toffolo (Swindon Town - loan from Norwich City)

Midfielders: Harrison Reed (Southampton), Jack Barmby (Leicester City), Jack Stephens (Swindon Town - loan from Southampton), Jamie Hanson (Derby County), Lewis Baker (MK Dons - loan from Chelsea), Matty Grimes (Swansea City), Ben Osborn (Nottingham Forest), Alex Mowatt (Leeds United), John Swift (Swindon Town - loan from Chelsea)

Forwards: Callum Robinson (Preston North End - loan from Aston Villa), Chuba Akpom (Arsenal), Kwame Thomas (Derby County), Chris Long (Brentford - loan from Everton)