Young Lions getting ready for action later this month...
ENGLAND Under-19s boss, Noel Blake, has selected a 23-man squad to take part in a training camp next week ahead of the Euro Elite Qualifying Round later this month.The Young Lions face opposition from Montenegro, Ukraine and Scotland on home soil, as they aim for a place in July’s Euro Championship Finals in Hungary.
Only one nation can progress into the Finals, which consists of eight teams and will also give England a chance of qualifying for next year’s U20 World Cup in New Zealand.
And Blake will spend two days working with the group between 13th and 15th May, before a smaller squad of 18 will be named for the qualifiers, which begin on May 24th when Montenegro are the opponents here at Banks's Stadium.
Manchester United striker, James Wilson, who scored twice on his debut for the Old Trafford club on Tuesday, is named amongst the attackers alongside the likes of Southampton’s Sam Gallagher and Arsenal’s Chuba Akpom.
Chelsea are well represented with captain Lewis Baker and fellow midfielder John Swift joined by recent FA Youth Cup winners Ola Aina and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
There is a return to the International fold for former England Under-16s captain, Diego Poyet, whose form at Charlton Athletic this year has caught the eye whilst MK Dons defender, Brendan Galloway, makes the step up from the U18s squad after impressing with Neil Dewsnip’s side this season.
And Liverpool defender Lloyd Jones receives a first England call-up, so will be hoping to impress Blake and his staff ahead of an important month.
Following the training camp, the squad will meet up again at St. George’s Park on Sunday 18th May to finalise their preparations for the qualifiers.
After the opening game with Montenegro, England will face Scotland on Monday 26th May and Ukraine on Thursday 29th May with of those both games at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium.
Tickets for all three games are now on sale, priced at £3 (adults) and £1.50 (concessions). Call 01922 651 414/416 or visit www.saddlers.co.uk for tickets here at Walsall or call 01283-565 938 or visit www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk for tickets at Burton.
Don't forget that 2013/14 or 2014/15 Saddlers' season-ticket holders can obtain a free ticket for the England v Montenegro game on production of your season ticket booklet at the Banks's Stadium Ticket Office. You will also be entitled to a free ticket for Montenegro v Ukraine on May 26th and Montenegro v Scotland on May 29th (one ticket per booklet per game).
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Mitchell Beeney (Chelsea), Christian Walton (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Defenders: Ola Aina (Chelsea), Dominic Ball (Tottenham Hotspur), Calum Chambers (Southampton), Shay Facey (Manchester City), Brendan Galloway (MK Dons), Lloyd Jones (Liverpool), Matthew Targett (Southampton).
Midfielders: Lewis Baker (Chelsea), Isaac Hayden (Arsenal), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), Ben Pearson (Manchester United), Diego Poyet (Charlton Athletic), Harrison Reed (Southampton), John Swift (Chelsea).
Forwards: Chuba Akpom (Arsenal), Devante Cole (Manchester City), Sam Gallagher (Southampton), Jordon Ibe (Liverpool), Josh Murphy (Norwich City), Callum Robinson (Aston Villa), James Wilson (Manchester United).