Raheem Sterling and Wilfried Zaha Named in England U21 Squad

Gareth Southgate has named his 24-man squad for the upcoming European qualifiers against San Marino and Lithuania, including the out-of-favour names of Raheem Sterling and Wilfried Zaha.

As things stand, the Young Lions sit in fourth place of qualification Group One, but have played two games less than the rest of the pool.

Included in the squad, per the FA's official website, are 18 Premier League players, five Championship youngsters as well as Eric Dier, currently with Sporting Lisbon.

Having not represented his national team at any level, Danny Ings’ nine goals in 13 appearances for Burnley so far this season has been enough to earn the 21-year-old his chance at making his international debut.

Manchester United have the most representatives in the squad, with Zaha, Jesse Lingard, Nick Powell and Michael Keane making up their four-man contingent, while Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton each follow with two of their own players.

One to look out for in the coming trials will be West Brom’s Saido Berahino who, after netting in both of the U21s’ qualifying matches thus far, capitalised on his fine start to the campaign with a goal at Old Trafford.

Despite not featuring regularly for their Premier League sides, Sterling and the aforementioned Zaha have found their way into Southgate’s squad and are expected to join up with the rest of the team this weekend.

The Times' Oliver Kay points out just what a recall this is for Ravel Morrison, now enjoying some good form at Upton Park.

The squad will travel to San Marino next week for their fixture on Oct. 10 before then returning home for their Oct. 15 encounter with Lithuania at Ipswich Town’s Portman Road.

Full 24-Man Squad

Goalkeepers: Jonathan Bond (Watford), Jack Butland (Barnsley, on loan from Stoke City), George Long (Sheffield United).

Defenders: Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon), Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal), Michael Keane (Manchester United), Jack Robinson (Blackpool, on loan from Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Southampton), John Stones (Everton).

Midfielders: Tom Carroll (QPR, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Nathaniel Chalobah (Nottingham Forest, on loan from Chelsea), Will Hughes (Derby County),  Ravel Morrison (West Ham United), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) Sammy Ameobi (Newcastle United), Tom Ince (Blackpool), Jesse Lingard (Birmingham City, on loan from Manchester United), Nathan Redmond (Norwich City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Wilfried Zaha (Manchester United).

Forwards: Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Ings (Burnley), Nick Powell (Wigan Athletic, on loan from Manchester United).