Pic: Andy Nunn
PAUL FAIRCLOUGH has named an experimental squad featuring 17 new faces for England C's summer showdown with the Panjab FA.
With Non-League's Three Lions having to wait until next season to play their International Challenge Trophy final against Slovakia – they are preparing for the U21 European Championships – the C boss is making the most of an opportunity to look ahead to the future.
Originally due to be at Kidderminster Harriers, the game on Sunday, May 28 has been switched to Solihull Moors.
The same squad will fly out to the Channel Islands to take on Jersey FA on Tuesday, May 30 as an FA representative XI – meaning no international caps will be awarded.
Of the 18-man squad, only Gateshead keeper James Montgomery has travelled away with Fairclough's team before.
He's joined by Heed teammate Gus Matufa while three other clubs also boast dual call-ups. Maidstone duo Kevin Lokko and Bobby-Joe Taylor have got the nod, along with Kidderminster's Ryan Croasdale and Jordan Tunnicliffe and Ebbsfleet's Jack Powell and Darren McQueen.
Striker James Alabi is selected for the first time thanks to his form for Chester and there's a return for Morgan Ferrier, who was selected to play Estonia only for an FA Cup replay with Boreham Wood to rule him out.
And it's not just the National League being represented. Dan Maguire's 30 league goals which helped fire Blyth Spartans to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division title have earned him a call-up.
Squad: Ross Fitzsimons (Chelmsford), Dan Maguire (Blyth Spartans), Morgan Ferrier (Boreham W), Harry Vince (Boston Utd), James Alabi (Chester), Fejiri Okenabirhie (Dagenham & Redbridge), David Ferguson (Darlington), Darren McQueen (Ebbsfleet Utd), James Montgomery (Gateshead), Ryan Croasdale & Jordan Tunnicliffe (Kidderminster), Callum Howe (Lincoln C), Kevin Lokko (Maidstone Utd), Keaton Wood (Dartford), Jack Powell (Ebbsfleet Utd), Gus Mafuta (Gateshead), Bobby-Joe Taylor (Maidstone Utd), George Carline (Solihull Moors).
