Norwich City goalkeeper Declan Rudd and Crystal Palace full-back Nathaniel Clyne have both been named in England U19’s 18-man squad for the European Championship Elite Qualifying Round games in Ukraine next month.
While Fabio Capello’s men will be busy preparing for the World Cup in South Africa, the Young Lions led by Head Coach Noel Blake will aim to top a four-team group which includes, current champions Ukraine, Republic of Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina to ensure qualification for a third successive European Championship Finals.
Rudd is one of five players to have played in last year’s competition and to have reached the final in Donetsk, only to miss out on the title against Ukraine.
Head Coach Noel Blake has named an experienced squad with players who have all featured for the U19’s over the course of this season.
The matches will be played between 26th May to 31st May. England will face Ireland at the Obolon Arena in Kiev on Wednesday, 26th May, before facing Bosnia at the same venue two days later.
The Young Lions then play the hosts at the Valeriy Lobanovskiyy Stadium in Kiev on 31st May. The overall winners of the group will progress to the finals in France in July.
