Liverpool youngster Martin Kelly has been named in Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 squad for the first time for next week's friendly with Uzbekistan.
Kelly, who impressed for the Reds during pre-season, is included in the 19 man party as Pearce runs the rule over his youngsters ahead of the forthcoming European Championship qualifiers against Portugal and Lithuania.
"Martin Kelly has played for Liverpool in this pre-season in a European qualifying tie and I also saw him with the younger age groups, so it's a great opportunity for him," said Pearce, who also handed first call-ups to Phil Jones, Jordan Henderson and Marc Albrighton.
"Because we were so successful a year ago reaching the European Championship Final, there was no preparation time for many friendlies before we went straight into qualifying, so it makes it difficult to have a look at players and tinker with the squad.
"This match will give us a chance to prepare for what will be two very important games next month."
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