Stuart Pearce has overlooked Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling for his latest England Under-21 squad.
Jamaica-born Sterling, 17, has made a big splash at Anfield this season, and starred in the 2-2 draw against Manchester City on Sunday.
But while his team-mates Jordan Henderson, Martin Kelly and Jonjo Shelvey are in the squad, Sterling is in the Under-19s instead.
Henderson is expected to captain the Young Lions for their European Championship qualifying double-header against Azerbaijan and Norway.
Victory in both Group 8 games next month will guarantee Pearce’s team a place in the decisive play-off in October.
Pearce also handed maiden call-ups for Blackpool winger Tom Ince and Leicester defender Ben Marshall.
Squad: Ben Amos, Declan Rudd, Jason Steele; Ryan Bennett, Steven Caulker, Nathaniel Clyne, Craig Dawson, Martin Kelly, Ben Marshall, Danny Rose, Adam Smith; Jordan Henderson, Tom Ince, Henri Lansbury, Jason Lowe, Josh McEachran, Jack Rodwell, Jonjo Shelvey, Wilfried Zaha; Nathan Delfouneso, Marvin Sordell, Connor Wickham, Martyn Waghorn.
Jamaica-born Sterling, 17, has made a big splash at Anfield this season, and starred in the 2-2 draw against Manchester City on Sunday.
But while his team-mates Jordan Henderson, Martin Kelly and Jonjo Shelvey are in the squad, Sterling is in the Under-19s instead.
Henderson is expected to captain the Young Lions for their European Championship qualifying double-header against Azerbaijan and Norway.
Victory in both Group 8 games next month will guarantee Pearce’s team a place in the decisive play-off in October.
Pearce also handed maiden call-ups for Blackpool winger Tom Ince and Leicester defender Ben Marshall.
Squad: Ben Amos, Declan Rudd, Jason Steele; Ryan Bennett, Steven Caulker, Nathaniel Clyne, Craig Dawson, Martin Kelly, Ben Marshall, Danny Rose, Adam Smith; Jordan Henderson, Tom Ince, Henri Lansbury, Jason Lowe, Josh McEachran, Jack Rodwell, Jonjo Shelvey, Wilfried Zaha; Nathan Delfouneso, Marvin Sordell, Connor Wickham, Martyn Waghorn.
