England Nod For Rod

Jack named alongside Vaughan in U21 Euros squad

Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell has been named in England Under-21’s provisional 40-man squad for this summer’s European Championships in Denmark.

The Blues ace was injured on his last run-out for the Under-21s – in a defeat to Italy in Empoli – but has recovered to reclaim a place in David Moyes’ starting line-up.

Rodwell’s Blues teammate James Vaughan – currently on loan at Crystal Palace – is also in the squad.

Manager Stuart Pearce is keen to take the strongest group possible and has included the likes of Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll.

Having finished runners-up in 2009, Pearce hopes to go one better this time around.

England are number one in the UEFA European rankings, whilst they find themselves the only side of the eight qualifying nations to have made it to their third consecutive finals.

The Three Lions start their campaign with a tricky fixture against Spain (12 June) before taking on Ukraine (15 June) and Czech Republic (19 June).

Prior to flying to Denmark they take on fellow finalists Norway in a warm-up fixture at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium on 5 June (3pm).

England Squad.

Keepers: Frankie Fielding (Blackburn Rovers), Scott Loach (Watford), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough), Alex McCarthy (Reading),

Defenders: Joe Bennett (Middlesbrough), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Michael Mancienne (Wolverhampton Wanderers - loan from Chelsea), Ben Mee (Leicester City - loan from Manchester City), Kyle Naughton (Leicester City - loan from Tottenham), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), James Tomkins (West Ham United), Kieran Trippier (Barnsley - loan from Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Aston Villa - loan from Tottenham Hotspur),

Midfielders: Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa), Jack Cork (Burnley - loan from Chelsea), Tom Cleverley (Wigan Athletic - loan from Man Utd), Mark Davies (Bolton Wanderers), Adam Hammill (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jordan Henderson (Sunderland), Jonathan Howson (Leeds United), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Henri Lansbury (Norwich City - loan from Arsenal), Josh McEachran (Chelsea), Fabrice Muamba (Bolton Wanderers), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Scott Sinclair (Swansea City), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Forwards: Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Nathan Delfouneso (Burnley - loan from Aston Villa), Gary Hooper (Celtic), Jay Rodriguez (Burnley), Freddie Sears (West Ham United), Daniel Sturridge (Bolton Wanderers - loan from Chelsea), James Vaughan (Crystal Palace - loan from Everton), Danny Welbeck (Sunderland - loan from Man Utd), Connor Wickham (Ipswich Town)