Ethan Nwaneri has been selected for England’s under-21 squad for the first time as he hopes to impress Lee Carsley and secure a call-up for the U21 European Championships this summer.
The Three Lions continue their preparations with two friendlies, starting with a trip to Lorient to play France before hosting Portugal at West Bromwich Albion’s Hawthorns home, and having represented England at under-16, under-17 and under-19 levels, he has been tipped to learn a lot from the experience by Mikel Arteta.
“It’s a big step,” he said. “He’s 17 years old and he’s playing with the under-21s with all the names that they have in the team. I spoke to Lee [Carsley] this morning and I’m glad that he’s his coach because I’ve known him very well since we played together for many years. It’s a great pathway and development for him and a great experience for him.
“Lee just said that he was going to select him and I know him. He’s a phenomenal coach and person - unique. So I know he’s going to look after him and push him in the right way. He’s going to hear a different coach with different ideas and this is always so good for a young player.”
Ethan has been promoted from the under-19 squad, for whom Tommy Setford will hope to book a spot at the U19 European Championships in Romania by topping a group containing host nation Wales, Turkey and Portugal. He will face Braydon Clarke in the opening game, who will be looking to impress new Wales boss Chris Gunter.
Fellow shot-stopper Khari Ranson has been picked for England under-18s, who go head-to-head with the Czech Republic, France and Portugal in friendlies staged in the latter country, the final game of which will be played at the iconic home of FC Braga.
Meanwhile at under-17 level, regulars Jack Porter and Max Dowman have been selected for three U17 Euro elite qualifying round fixtures against Israel, Slovenia and Northern Ireland, all of which will take place at St George’s Park. Striker Ceadach O’Neil has also been selected for the latter, who will hope to get his side to the finals in Albania should they win the mini-tournament.
Another side who could make those finals are Serbia, and Louis Zecivic John has been picked for their matches against the Netherlands, Hungary and Portugal in the latter.
Alex Marciniak has also been selected for Wales’ under-17 side ahead of their round-robin against Albania and Azerbaijan as they seek promotion to League A for round 1 of 2026/27 U19 Euro qualifying.
When our academy internationals are in action
All times GMT
Wednesday, March 18
England U17s (Dowman, Porter) v Israel U17s
Euro qualifier | Burton-upon-Trent | 3pm
Northern Ireland U17s (O’Neill) v Slovenia U17s
Euro qualifier | Burton-upon-Trent | 7pm
Thursday, March 19
Netherlands U17s v Serbia U17s (Zecivic John)
Euro qualifier | Guimaraes, Portugal | 11am
Friday, March 21
England U18s (Ranson) v Czech Republic U18s
Friendly | Ponta Delgada, Portugal | 5pm
Wales U19s (Clarke) v England U19s (Setford)
Euro qualifier | Bangor | 7pm
France U21s v England U21s (Nwaneri)
Friendly | Lorient | 8pm
Saturday, March 22
England U19s (Setford) v Turkey U19s
Euro qualifier | Connah’s Quay, Wales | 11am
Wales U17s (Marciniak) v Azerbaijan U17s
Euro qualifier | Elbasan, Albania | 11am
Hungary U17s v Serbia U17s (Zecivic John)
Euro qualifier | Barcelos, Portugal | 12pm
England U17s (Dowman, Porter) v Slovenia U17s
Euro qualifier | Burton-upon-Trent | 3pm
Wales U19s (Clarke) v Portugal U19s
Euro qualifier | Rhyl | 5pm
Northern Ireland U17s (O’Neill) v Israel U17s
Euro qualifier | Burton-upon-Trent | 7pm
Sunday, March 23
England U18s (Ranson) v France U18s
Friendly | Freamunde, Portugal | 3pm
Monday, March 24
England U21s (Nwaneri) v Portugal U21s
Friendly | West Bromwich | 7.45pm
Tuesday, March 25
Portugal U18s v England U18s (Ranson)
Friendly | Braga | 11am
Albania U17s v Wales U17s (Marciniak)
Euro qualifier | Tirana | 2pm
Portugal U17s v Serbia U17s (Zecivic John)
Euro qualifier | Barcelos | 3pm
England U17s (Dowman, Porter) v Northern Ireland (O’Neill)
Euro qualifier | Burton-upon-Trent | 7pm
England U19s (Setford) v Portugal U19s
Euro qualifier | Connah’s Quay, Wales | 7pm
Wales U19s (Clarke) v Turkey U19s
Euro qualifier | Rhyl | 7pm
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