Pearce picks England party

There are three uncapped players in England's final 23-man squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, with West Ham United FC midfielder Mark Noble and Everton FC striker James Vaughan earning selection on the back of their fine end-of-season form.

Carson mark
Noble, 20, helped keep West Ham in the Premier League, while 18-year-old Vaughan struck three goals in his last five games for Everton, including one on the final day of the campaign at Chelsea FC. Tottenham Hotspur FC goalkeeper Ben Alnwick is the other player hoping to make his debut in the Netherlands. In contrast, Scott Carson will set an appearance record (28 matches) at this level for England should the keeper appear in the Group B fixtures against the Czech Repubic, Italy and Serbia.

Agbonlahor out
Like Carson, midfielder David Bentley is in the England senior fold for Friday's friendly against Brazil and the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier in Estonia a week today, although forward David Nugent has been overlooked for that double-header despite scoring against Andorra last time out. Aston Villa FC striker Gabriel Agbonlahor was the highest profile of the seven players omitted from manager Stuart Pearce's provisional 30-man squad. England's concluding friendly is against Slovakia at Carrow Road, Norwich on Tuesday before the 11 June opener against the Czechs.

England squad
Goalkeepers: Ben Alnwick (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Scott Carson (Liverpool FC), Joe Hart (Manchester City FC).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Wigan Athletic FC), Gary Cahill (Aston Villa FC), Anton Ferdinand (West Ham United FC), Justin Hoyte (Arsenal FC), Nedum Onuoha (Manchester City FC), Liam Rosenior (Fulham FC), Steven Taylor (Newcastle United FC), Peter Whittingham (Cardiff City FC).

Midfielders: David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers FC), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspur FC), James Milner (Newcastle United FC), Mark Noble (West Ham United FC), Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham United FC), Kieran Richardson (Manchester United FC), Wayne Routledge (Tottenham Hotspur FC).

Forwards: Matt Derbyshire (Blackburn Rovers FC), Leroy Lita (Reading FC), David Nugent (Preston North End FC), James Vaughan (Everton FC), Ashley Young (Aston Villa FC).