Express & Star

Afobe and Saido called to England Under-21s

Wolves' Benik Afobe and West Brom's Saido Berahino have been named in the provisional England Under-21 squad for this summer's European Championship.

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Boss Gareth Southgate has named an initial list of 27 players for the finals, which take place next month in the Czech Republic.

It will be trimmed to 23 closer to the tournament. Forward Berahino played a key role in England's qualifying campaign but, for Afobe, it is a first international call-up for over two years.

The 22-year-old striker scored 32 goals in all competitions this season but has not featured for his country since February 2013, when he played in a 4-0 win for the Under-21s over Sweden at Walsall.

Southgate's final 23-man squad will join up at St. George's Park to begin their preparations on June 2, before returning for a second week on June 8.

They will then take on Belarus at Barnsley FC's Oakwell ground in a final game, before they fly out to their Euro base in Olomouc on Sunday June 14.

England's first group game is against Portugal in Uherske Hradiste on Thursday June 18, before they face Sweden in Olomouc three days later.

The final group fixture against Italy takes place on Wednesday June 24, again in Olomouc.

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