The Under 21's play Wales at Blackburn on Friday night before going on to play at Azerbaijan Tuesday 12th October with a 2pm kick-off. This group of players set their own standards," Peter Taylor said to the FA's website.
"They are a very ambitious set of lads with the talent to go as far as they want.
"I’ve enjoyed working with them so far and we’re all looking forward to our first competitive action on home turf when we play Wales next Friday.
"No one is forgetting the game against Azerbaijan but if we could get a good result in front of an inspirational crowd at Ewood Park, it will set us up perfectly.
"There were nearly 30,000 fans at Ewood Park the last time the England Under-21s came to Blackburn so let's hope the fans will turn out in force again to cheer us on and create a great atmosphere."
The full squad as listed at thefa.com
Player | Club | DOB | Caps | Goals |
Lee Camp | Derby County | 22 Aug 84 | 0 | 0 |
Scott Carson | Leeds United | 03 Sep 85 | 5 | 0 |
Andrew Lonergan | Preston NE | 19 Oct 83 | 0 | 0 |
Leighton Baines | Wigan Athletic | 11 Dec 84 | 2 | 0 |
Calum Davenport | West Ham Utd* | 01 Jan 83 | 2 | 0 |
Daniel Harding | Brighton HA | 23 Dec 83 | 1 | 0 |
Adam Hinshelwood | Brighton HA | 08 Jan 84 | 0 | 0 |
Nicky Hunt | Bolton Wanderers | 03 Sep 83 | 3 | 0 |
Glen Johnson | Chelsea | 23 Aug 84 | 8 | 0 |
Matthew Kilgallon | Leeds United | 08 Jan 84 | 3 | 0 |
Steven Taylor | Newcastle United | 23 Jan 86 | 2 | 0 |
Stewart Downing | Middlesbrough | 22 Jul 84 | 4 | 0 |
James Milner | Newcastle United | 04 Jan 86 | 4 | 0 |
Gary O'Neil | Cardiff City** | 18 May 83 | 3 | 0 |
Jermaine Pennant | Arsenal | 15 Oct 83 | 22 | 0 |
Nigel Reo-Coker | West Ham United | 14 May 84 | 6 | 0 |
John Welsh | Liverpool | 10 Jan 84 | 1 | 0 |
Peter Whittingham | Aston Villa | 08 Sep 84 | 2 | 0 |
Dean Ashton | Crewe Alexandra | 24 Nov 83 | 3 | 2 |
Darren Bent | Ipswich Town | 06 Feb 84 | 8 | 6 |
David Bentley | Norwich City*** | 27 Aug 84 | 3 | 1 |
Carlton Cole | Aston Villa**** | 12 Nov 83 | 7 | 4 |
Jonathan Stead | Blackburn Rovers | 07 Apr 83 | 4 | 0 |
* On-loan from Tottenham Hotspur
** On-loan from Portsmouth
*** On-loan from Norwich
**** On-loan from Chelsea
Ticket Details
Adults £10
Under 16s & OAPS £5