Junior Stanislas has joined James Tomkins in being selected by England Under-19s for the international friendly against Russia this evening although Freddie Sears has withdrawn.
The duo, both 18, will hope to impress in Milton Keynes in the hope of winning a place in Brian Eastick's squad for May's vital European U19 Championship elite round. The Young Lions are due to come up against hosts Belarus, Serbia and Poland in a four-country mini-tournament to decide which of the four will compete in the eight-nation 14-26 July finals in the Czech Republic. Russia are also bidding to qualify so will provide stern opposition.
Central defender Tomkins is an established performer at U19 level for England, having particularly impressed Eastick in the 2-0 friendly win against Croatia last month. Prolific forward Sears, who has been ruled out tonight through injury, came off the bench for that fixture, his second such appearance for his country, and very nearly scored in an impressive late cameo. Late call-up Stanislas, after Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs pulled out, was an unused substitute while Jordan Spence, still only 17, could yet force his way into the reckoning and may play for the U18s in April.
Admission for Stadium: MK is £3 for adults in advance (£5 on the day) and £1 for concessions.