THREE Saints players have been included in the England under-21 squad for the forthcoming matches against the United States and Norway.

James Ward-Prowse and Matt Targett are joined by defender Jack Stephens, who is currently on loan at Championship club Middlesbrough.

The Young Lions, looking to bounce back from a disappointing European Championship campaign over the summer, face USA Under-23s next Thursday at Preston's Deepdale before taking on Norway Under-21s away the following Monday.

Despite being eligible Manchester City's Raheem Sterling, Everton's John Stones and Manchester United's Luke Shaw were all left out, with them likely to be in Roy Hodgson's senior squad instead.

There are eight players who have been capped previously at under-21 level, with Arsenal's ex-Saint Calum Chambers, Tottenham's Eric Dier and Targett on hand to help the new faces at the back.

Ward-Prowse, Nathaniel Chalobah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jake Forster-Caskey return to provide a wealth of know-how in midfield, while Norwich flyer Nathan Redmond also features again.

England Under-21s squad: Angus Gunn (Manchester City), Jordan Pickford (Preston North End - on loan from Sunderland), Christian Walton (Bury - on loan from Brighton), Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Brendan Galloway (Everton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Kortney Hause, Dominic Iorfa (both Wolves), Jack Stephens (Middlesbrough - on loan from Southampton), Matt Targett (Southampton), Dele Alli (Tottenham), Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea), Jake Forster-Caskey (Brighton), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Chuba Akpom (Hull - on loan from Arsenal), Jordon Ibe (Liverpool), Solly March (Brighton), Nathan Redmond (Norwich), Duncan Watmore (Sunderland), James Wilson (Manchester United), Cauley Woodrow (Fulham).