The England U-21s are lining up for a friendly clash with North Ireland next Tuesday and manager Stuart Pearce has named his squad today. Bolton's loan man from Arsenal, Benik Afobe, has received his first call-up at the U-21 level, a major honor for the 19-year old. Afobe has previously featured for England at the U-16, U-17, and U-19 levels. He has scored once in 13 league appearances for Bolton Wanderers.

The man that's actually on Bolton's books, Marvin Sordell, has been left out of the squad despite being a fixture in recent months and a member of Stuart Pearce's team Great Britain side. This, however, is not a point of worry for Bolton fans and Marvin Sordell, who has struggled for appearances at Bolton since moving last January.

Alongside Sordell, Pearce has chosen to rest another six of his young stars in Danny Rose, Jack Butland, Craig Dawson, Henri Lansbury, and Nathan Delfouneso. Raheem Sterling, Steven Caulker, and Jonjo Shelvey were handed call ups.