Pearce suffers double blow

Richards and Lennon withdraw from England U21 squad

Last updated: 6th October 2008

Pearce suffers double blow

Richards: Ruled out

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Micah Richards and Aaron Lennon have pulled out of the England Under 21 squad for their European Championship play-off against Wales.

Manchester City defender Richards, who has been tipped for a senior return, is believed to have suffered a knock in the 3-2 Premier League defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.

Lennon suffered a similar fate in Tottenham's 1-0 home defeat by Hull and was taken off in the 74th minute.

The first leg between England and Wales takes place at Cardiff's Ninian Park on Friday, with the second leg at Villa Park next Tuesday.

England U21 boss Stuart Pearce is already without forward Theo Walcott, who has been named in Fabio Capello's squad.

Drive

Pearce's men reached the semi-finals at the last European tournament, and the former England international wants to go one better this time around.

"My main drive from the offset, and the message I've given to the players when we started the tournament, is that we're in this tournament to try to win it," he said.

"We're not here to make up the numbers or just to get to the finals. You have to have it on your mind that there are 15 matches to play to win this tournament.

"That will be the same message as the other managers across Europe will be giving their players. If we get to the finals there are only seven other teams, you realise that."

Meanwhile, Pearce's youngsters will face Czech Republic in a friendly at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane on 18th November.