Pearce names squad for Euro 2011
Monday, 23 May, 2011
23-man squad selected for Under-21 Finals in Denmark next month.
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Stuart Pearce has named his 23-man England squad for next month’s
UEFA European Under-21s Championship in Denmark.
The Three Lions Head Coach has selected four players with senior team experience within a group of regular Under-21s who have helped secure qualification to England’s third Finals tournament in succession.
Manchester City’s Micah Richards, Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs, Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck and Sunderland’s Jordan Henderson are on the list and between them have a total of 16 full international caps.
Meanwhile, Frank Fielding, Michael Mancienne, Chris Smalling and Kyle Walker have all been involved in the senior team set-up also.
Among the 17 players from the long list to miss out are Liverpool forward Andy Carroll, whose last game for the Under-21s came in the 2-1 qualifying defeat to Greece in March 2010, and Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, two players who have recently become part of Fabio Capello’s set-up.
"Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere will not be part of the Under-21 squad which travels to Denmark. Andy has been ruled out through injury,” said Pearce.
"I spoke to Jack last week and he explained that while he told me in March that he wanted to be part of the squad, he now feels he is not in the best condition to take part in the Finals.
"That is based on the number of games he has played for Arsenal this season, sports science data which Jack was presented with last week and concerns he has for his fitness looking ahead to next season.
“Jack has always expressed his enjoyment at being involved with the Under-21 squad, and while I am disappointed not to have him with us for the Finals I’ve accepted the situation.”
Pearce added: "I am very conscious of the importance of looking after all our players, and that is why I have frequent conversations with club managers throughout the season.
"I believe that representing your country in international development tournaments can be a great advantage to players, and increases the chances of being successful at senior level."
During the current campaign, which began back in August 2009, Pearce has called up 65 players demonstrating the depth of talent available to him at this level. Earlier this month he named his provisional 40-man squad which was submitted to UEFA.
Picking the squad, the former England defender had to narrow down from six goalkeepers to three. Alongside Fielding, who recently signed permanently for Derby County, are Reading’s Alex McCarthy and Middlesbrough’s Jason Steele.
Strikers Daniel Sturridge and Welbeck, who have bagged a total of six goals during the two-year campaign, will have alongside them Aston Villa’s Nathan Delfouneso, a European Finalist at U19s level, and Ipswich Town’s Connor Wickham, a winner at last year’s U17s Championship.
The final list will be submitted to UEFA on 1 June before the tournament begins for England on 12 June against Spain in Herning. They then meet Ukraine at the same venue on 15 June and finish their Group B fixtures on 19 June against Czech Republic. The top two teams qualify for the semi-finals.
Before the team flies to Denmark,
England will take on Norway in a Championship warm-up fixture at Southampton’s St. Mary’s Stadium on 5 June (kick-off 3pm).
Tickets for this fixture are available from £10 for adults and £5 for children. Calling
0800 2800 050,
book online here or in person at the club ticket office.
Click here to see player statsGOALKEEPERSFrankie Fielding (Derby County),
Jason Steele (Middlesbrough),
Alex McCarthy (Reading),
DEFENDERSRyan Bertrand (Chelsea),
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal),
Phil Jones (Blackburn Rovers),
Michael Mancienne (Chelsea),
Micah Richards (Manchester City),
Chris Smalling (Manchester United),
Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)
MIDFIELDERSMarc Albrighton (Aston Villa),
Tom Cleverley (Manchester United),
Jack Cork (Chelsea),
Jordan Henderson (Sunderland),
Henri Lansbury (Arsenal),
Fabrice Muamba (Bolton Wanderers),
Jack Rodwell (Everton),
Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur),
Scott Sinclair (Swansea City)
FORWARDSNathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa),
Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea),
Danny Welbeck (Manchester United),
Connor Wickham (Ipswich Town)
Click here to see player stats
It's still an excellent squad even without Wilshere and Carroll. Good luck in Denmark, lads!
By USA Lion (3 days ago)
