KONCHESKY GETS ENGLAND CALL

CHARLTON ATHLETIC defender Paul Konchesky has been drafted into the England Under-21 squad for this Friday's game with Greece in place of the injured Derby star Seth Johnson.

Under-21's boss David Platt has decided to call up reinforcements after Johnson, Owen Hargreaves and Titus Bramble were forced to pull out of the original squad through injury.

The 20-year-old ace, who has been capped at youth level by England, will join up with his team-mates on Tuesday for the crucial qualifier against the group leaders.

England have been hit another double blow with both Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers and Fulham midfielder ruled out of the game through injury.

Jeffers, who has grabbed four goals in his last two outings in the Under-21s, has failed to shake off an ankle knock picked up against Derby County last weekend, while Davis suffered a foot injury during Fulham's draw with Chelsea on Sunday.

The game at Ewood Park is on course to be a sellout and Platt is delighted at the amount of interest in the game among England supporters.

"It's fantastic to know that so many England fans are going to be there to cheer us on on Friday night," said Platt.

"Everyone knows what a crucial match this is for us, so to have a big crowd behind us will be a huge boost to the team."