Ben Johnson has been named in the England U21 squad for two international matches to be played in the final week of March.
The versatile West Ham United defender has been selected by coach Lee Carsley for home games with France and Croatia.
The Young Lions will welcome their French counterparts to the King Power Stadium in Leicester on Saturday 25 March at 3pm, before taking on Croatia at Fulham’s Craven Cottage at on Tuesday 28 March at 7.45pm.
Johnson made his England U21 debut in a 3-0 UEFA European Championship qualifying win in Albania in March 2022 and will hope his performances in the two upcoming friendlies help secure his place in the squad for this summer’s tournament in Romania and Georgia.
There, Carsley’s side have been drawn in Group C alongside Czech Republic, Israel and Germany, with England’s group-stage ties to be held in Georgia between 22-28 June.
“The best preparation we can have for a European Championship is to test ourselves against top class opposition and that is exactly what France and Croatia will provide," said head coach Carsley.
“It’s even better that those matches are taking place on home soil and putting on a show in Leicester and Fulham will be the perfect send off ahead of an exciting summer for this talented group of Young Lions.”
Croatia are familiar foes for England U21s having last met in the group stage of the last edition of the U21 EURO - a 2-1 victory in Slovenia. Similarly, England last met France at the finals of an U21 EURO - a 2-1 group-stage defeat in Italy in 2019.
Tickets for both fixtures cost £15 for Adults and £7.50 for Concessions and can be accessed via TheFA.com/tickets. Group bookings can secure tickets for £10 per Adult and £5 per Concession.
