• European Under-21 Championship

McManaman rewarded with England call-up

Wigan midfielder Callum McManaman's recent form, including a man of the match performance in his side's FA Cup victory over Manchester City, has earned him a spot in Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 squad for the European Championship this summer.

McManaman, yet to represent his country at Under-21 level, was influential in Saturday's shock win at Wembley, but Pearce admits he had been watching the 22-year-old for a while as he prepared to announce his squad for the upcoming tournament in Isreal.

"I've made it my business over the last six weeks to have a real good look at Callum," Pearce told TheFA.com. "I think he's finding his confidence now - he's been nurtured very well by Wigan. He's played so well and the culmination of that was a fantastic game in the final. That will give his self-esteem the world of good."

Southampton's left-back Luke Shaw is also set for his Under-21 debut after a hugely impressive campaign with the south-coast club in their first season back in the Premier League - and the 17-year-old may just get the chance to impress with Tottenham's Danny Rose, currently on loan at Sunderland, suspended for the opening match against Italy on June 5.

However, there is no place in the squad for Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling due to the 18-year-old's ongoing injury troubles.

Pearce added: "Raheem's had a thigh problem that he's been nursing for some time, and he's not played for Liverpool for the last six or seven weeks. It's a real disappointment because his form for the Under-21s of late has been outstanding, but if they're not fit, I can't pick them."

England also face Norway and host nation Israel in the group stage.

England Under-21 squad

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Declan Rudd (Norwich City), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough)

Defenders: Steven Caulker (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Craig Dawson (West Bromwich Albion), Tom Lees (Leeds United), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Adam Smith (Tottenham Hotspur), Andre Wisdom (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Nat Chalobah (Watford - loan from Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Tom Ince (Blackpool), Henri Lansbury (Nottingham Forest), Jason Lowe (Blackburn Rovers), Josh McEachran (Chelsea), Callum McManaman (Wigan Athletic), Jonjo Shelvey (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur)

Forwards: Marvin Sordell (Bolton Wanderers), Connor Wickham (Sunderland), Wilfried Zaha (Manchester United)

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