In addition to Kaelan Casey, George Earthy and Ollie Scarles being selected for England’s Elite Squad, six more Academy talents have been picked for England’s younger age groups.
West Ham United U21s teammates, midfielder Lewis Orford and goalkeeper Fin Herrick, have been named in Will Antwi’s 21-man England U19 squad for the Elite Round qualifiers that will determine whether the Young Lions secure a place at this summer’s UEFA U19 European Championship in Romania.
England advanced to this stage unbeaten after November’s first qualifying round, which saw them draw with Belgium and claim victories over Lithuania, where Herrick kept a clean sheet, and group hosts Bulgaria, where Orford netted the winning goal.
In order to qualify for the finals, the Young Lions must top their elite qualifying group, which features Wales, Portugal and Turkey. First, Antwi’s men will travel to Bangor City Stadium on Wednesday 19 March to face group hosts Wales. Their next two games will be at Deeside Stadium, against Turkey on Saturday 22 March before they conclude qualifying against Portugal on Tuesday 25 March.
For England U18s, scholars wing-back Emeka Adiele and centre-half Airidas Golambeckis have been recalled by Liam Bramley to represent the Young Lions for an international tournament in Porto, Portugal.
First up, Bramley’s side take on the Czech Republic at Estádio de São Miguel on Friday 21 March, before playing France on Sunday 23 March at Sport Clube Freamunde. The following week, England wrap up the international window with a game against hosts Portugal on Tuesday 25 March at Municipal Stadium Fútbol.
Also in UEFA Euro Elite Qualifying action are England’s U17s. First-year scholars, goalkeeper Lanre Awesu and central midfielder Chinaza Nwosu, have been recalled to Neil Young’s squad, who will face Israel, Slovenia and Northern Ireland in their qualifiers on home soil. Young’s England squad come into this triple-header having played two warm-up fixtures against the Netherlands last month, the first of which saw Awesu save a penalty and Nwosu find the net in a 3-2 victory.
Fixtures in full
Wednesday 19 March
Lanre Awesu & Chinaza Nwosu | England U17s v Israel U17s - UEFA U17 Euro Elite Qualifier - St George's Park - 3pm GMT
Lewis Orford & Fin Herrick | England U19s v Wales U19s - UEFA U19 Euro Elite Qualifier - Bangor City Stadium - 7pm GMT
Friday 21 March
Emeka Adiele & Airidas Golambeckis | England U18s v Czech Republic U18s - International Friendly - Estádio de São Miguel - 6pm GMT
Saturday 22 March
Lewis Orford & Fin Herrick | England U19s v Turkey U19s - UEFA U19 Euro Elite Qualifier - Deeside Stadium - 3pm GMT
Sunday 23 March
Lanre Awesu & Chinaza Nwosu | England U17s v Slovenia U17s - UEFA U17 Euro Elite Qualifier - St George's Park - 3pm GMT
Emeka Adiele & Airidas Golambeckis – England U18s v France U18s - International Friendly - Sport Clube Freamunde - 5pm GMT
Tuesday 25 March
Emeka Adiele & Airidas Golambeckis - England U18s v Portugal U18s - International Friendly - Municipal Stadium Fútbol - 6pm GMT
Lewis Orford & Fin Herrick | England U19s v Portugal U19s - UEFA U19 Euro Elite Qualifier - Deeside Stadium - 7pm GMT
Lanre Awesu & Chinaza Nwosu | England U17s v Northern Ireland U17s - UEFA U17 Euro Elite Qualifier - St George's Park - 7pm GMT