Wednesday 20 May 2015 20:37, UK
Young Player of the Year Harry Kane has been included in England's provisional squad for the U21 European Championship in the Czech Republic.
The Tottenham striker, who scored on his senior England debut against Lithuania in March, is one of few players with experience of Roy Hodgson's squad to be included by Gareth Southgate.
Jack Wilshere, Raheem Sterling, Luke Shaw, Ross Barkley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were all eligible for selection by U21 coach Southgate, but none have been picked.
Southgate's initial 27-strong party will be reduced by four before they begin their preparations on June 2.
Kane is expected to link up with the squad a little later with Spurs heading off to Malaysia and Sydney for post-season friendlies on May 27 and 30.
"He's had a fantastic season first and foremost and he's been a big part of our team and I think that's important for all of the group," Southgate said.
"(It's) a great stage for Harry to show people his ability on the international stage in a top tournament and good for his development, and good for the group so we're able to take as strong a squad as we can."
On his relationship with Tottenham, Southgate confirmed that the Premier League club support his decision, adding: "Tottenham are one of our best clubs - in terms of all of the age groups - that we work with.
"A tremendous number of our good young players at every level work at Spurs and I've got a really good relationship with Mauricio (Pochettino).
"Always at this moment, if you say to any club 'would you prefer that the player didn't go away all summer and play?', I'm sure all 16-17 clubs would say 'ideally not' but you agree that in the end we'd like to take the best players to the tournament and give them that experience.
"I think that's been the basis of the discussion that we had and we're grateful for their support, as we are with all of the other clubs."
There is a call, for the first time at U21 level, for Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, while Wolves striker Benik Afobe is rewarded for a fine season in the Sky Bet Championship.
Southgate's team will take on Belarus in a friendly at Barnsley's Oakwell on June 11 with their first tournament game coming on June 18 against Portugal. They also face Sweden and Italy in the group stage.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Bettinelli (Fulham), Bond (Watford), Butland (Stoke)
Defenders: Chambers (Arsenal), Dier (Tottenham), Garbutt (Everton), Gibson (Middlesbrough), Jenkinson (Arsenal), Keane (Burnley), Moore (Leicester City), Stones (Everton), Targett (Southampton)
Midfielders: Carroll (Tottenham), Chalobah (Chelsea), Hughes (Derby County), Forster-Caskey (Brighton), Lingard (Manchester United), Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), Pritchard (Tottenham), Redmond (Norwich City), Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
Forwards: Afobe (Wolves), Bamford (Chelsea), Berahino (West Bromwich Albion), Kane (Tottenham), Ings (Burnley), Woodrow (Fulham)
