England Under-21s head coach Lee Carsley has confirmed his 23-man squad for the upcoming European Championships in Romania and Georgia.
The Young Lions won eight of their 10 qualifying matches to advance to the Under-21 Euros for the ninth time in a row, as they prepare to meet Germany, the Czech Republic and Israel in Group C.
England commence their quest for continental glory against the Czech Republic on June 22, three days before they meet Israel, and a showdown with Germany awaits on June 28.
Carsley has selected a contingent packed with Premier League and European experience, and Manchester City lead the way with four representatives, including four-cap goalkeeper James Trafford.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Tommy Doyle and Cole Palmer have also been called up from the Citizens' ranks, while Chelsea's Levi Colwill forms a part of the Young Lions' defensive contingent.
Having shone for Brighton & Hove Albion in the 2022-23 season, Colwill trained with the England senior team earlier this month, as a space opened up in defence following Lewis Dunk's withdrawal.
© Reuters
However, the 20-year-old will not be turning out for Gareth Southgate's side in their Euro 2024 qualifiers as he bids to steer the Under-21s to Euros glory, while injured Tottenham Hotspur duo Djed Spence and Ryan Sessegnon are both absent alongside Chelsea's Lewis Hall.
Everton's PSV Eindhoven loanee Jarrad Branthwaite represents one of two players who plied their trade outside England during the 2022-23 season - the other being Lille midfielder Angel Gomes - while Oliver Skipp, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Jacob Ramsey boast plenty of Premier League nous in the middle.
Branthwaite's Toffees teammate James Garner is also in despite his injury problems this season, as is Arsenal attacker Emile Smith Rowe, who is the only man in the squad with a senior cap to his name.
Morgan Gibbs-White, Cameron Archer, Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon are other options in attack for Carsley, who is aiming to steer England to their third Euros triumph following previous successes in 1982 and 1984.
The Young Lions were runners-up in 2009 and also reached the semi-finals in 2007 and 2017, but they have been eliminated in the group stage in the last two editions under Aidy Boothroyd.
ENGLAND UNDER-21 SQUAD IN FULL:
Goalkeepers: Josh Griffiths (West Bromwich Albion), Carl Rushworth (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Trafford (Manchester City)
Defenders: Max Aarons (Norwich City), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Charlie Cresswell (Leeds United), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Manchester City), Ben Johnson (West Ham United), Luke Thomas (Leicester City)
Midfielders: Tommy Doyle (Manchester City), Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), James Garner (Everton), Angel Gomes (Lille), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa), Oliver Skipp (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Cameron Archer (Aston Villa), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Cole Palmer (Manchester City), Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal)
Ben Knapton
