Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze included in England U21 squad for November fixtures

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze has been included in the England squad for their final two UEFA European U21 Championship qualifying fixtures against Andorra and Albania.

But there is no place for defender Tyrick Mitchell, who is recovering after suffering a knock in training.

Attacking midfielder Eze is in the squad for the games which come after the young Three Lions secured their qualification for next year’s finals last month, with victory over Turkey at Wolverhampton Wanderers, a match in which the former Queens Park Rangers man came on a substitute.

Mitchell, who missed last week’s Premier League clash against Wolves with that injury, was being watched by Aidy Boothroyd. The England U21 manager confirmed to the South London Press last month that he was on their radar.

“We’ve got about eight to nine players who are just going to miss out on this one because of injuries,” said Boothroyd on the squad announcement this morning.

“But we have competition for places, which is a good thing for any coach and that means the level of training goes up that little bit more, the attitude on the pitch goes up a couple of per cent and it shows you’ve got a really strong environment.

“Without a shadow of a doubt there’s the chance for others to make the squad. When you’ve got players as good as we have got and players who are fit, on form and playing then there’s every opportunity for them.

“This camp gives me the opportunity to meet and get to know some of the other players that I haven’t known before and to find out if they are ready to get a seat on the plane.”