WEST Ham United duo Anton Ferdinand and Nigel Reo-Coker have been
called up to the England Under-21 squad for next week's
Play-Off against France in a bid to qualify for the 2006 UEFA
Under-21 Championship.
The First Leg will be played at Tottenham's White Hart Lane on Friday 11th November, kick-off 7.30pm, with the return leg at the Stade Marcel Picot in Nancy four days later.
Manager Peter Taylor is calling on all West Ham United fans to get behind Ferdinand and Reo-Coker and the team to cheer them onto a victorious start. After finishing second in their group to Germany, England will need their best players in form to overcome a tough France side in order to reach the eight-team Finals.
"Nigel and Anton have established themselves within the England Under-21s squad and have been key players in our recent matches. Nigel has also been an inspirational captain, who leads by example," said Taylor.
"This is a great opportunity to make home advantage count
and a big crowd gives all the players a boost. I hope that West Ham
fans will turn out in force to support their players and the team
as we look to gain the upper hand in this two-leg Play-off."
England finished second in Group 6 behind Germany, finishing with
21 points after winning six, drawing three and losing one of their
ten group matches.
France won Group 4, which also included Switzerland, Israel, Republic of Ireland and Cyprus, winning six, drawing one and losing one of their eight matches. Coach Rene Girard's squad includes a number of familiar faces to English fans, including Arsenal's Gael Clichy, Liverpool's Florent Sinama Pongolle and Sunderland's Anthony Le Tallec.
Tickets for England v France are on sale now priced at just £10 adults and £5 for under-16s/OAPs. Call the ticket hotline on 0870 420 5000 to guarantee your seat.