New faces in Platt's squad

ENGLAND UNDER-21 manager David Platt has called up a number of new faces for their friendly with Yugoslavia on Friday evening.

Platt leads his young guns to Bolton's Reebok Stadium and he has taken the opportunity to look at some new faces.

Sunderland's new winger Matty Piper has been named in the party, along with Portsmouth duo Gary O'Neil and Matt Taylor - who have been rewarded for their excellent start to the new season.

Wolves' Joleon Lescott, Everton's Peter Clarke and Middlesbrough starlet Stuart Parnaby have also been brought in by Platt.

"This is a strong and exciting squad and I'm looking forward to meeting up with the players I know and the new boys in the squad," said Platt.

"It's a new age group so it's a chance for everyone to impress before we start our European Qualification schedule."

Squad in full: Chris Kirkland (Liverpool), Russell Howarth (York City), Rhys Evans (Chelsea), Paul Konchesky (Charlton), Matt Taylor (Portsmouth), Titus Bramble (Newcastle), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Peter Clarke (Everton), Stuart Parnaby (Middlesbrough), Jlloyd Samuel (Aston Villa), Jermaine Jenas (Newcastle), Matthew Etherington (Tottenham), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City), Jermaine Pennant (Arsenal), Matty Piper (Sunderland), David Prutton (N.Forest), Gary O'Neil (Portsmouth), Francis Jeffers (Arsenal), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle), Jermain Defoe (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Aston Villa)