England U21s beat Romania and Ukraine in their last two games in March

England U21s beat Romania and Ukraine in their last two games in March

England U21s will travel to Toulon with a 20-man squad for the annual Maurice Revello Tournament later this month.

The Young Lions head to southern France aiming to win the title for a third successive year, following victories in 2016 and 2017.

The Maurice Revello Tournament 26 May - 9 June 2018

Group A: England, China, Mexico, Qatar

Group B: France, Korea Republic, Scotland, Togo

Group C: Canada, Japan, Portugal, Turkey

Toulon, Var, France

And head coach Aidy Boothroyd has named his group for the trip, which will see England face initial games with China, Mexico and Qatar.

With the tournament only open for players born in 1997 and beyond, a number of the usual U21s squad are unavailable for the trip.

That means Boothroyd has a chance to select a number of players for the first time at U21 level, for what will be valuable experience in a prestigious competition.

There’s a first England call-up at any level for Leeds United’s Tom Pearce, who broke into the first-team and caught the eye at Elland Road in the second half of the season.

And AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, Leicester City midfielder Harvey Barnes, Charlton Athletic defender Ezri Konsa and Manchester City striker Lukas Nmecha all come into the squad having featured for the U20s this season.

Strikers Adam Armstrong and Eddie Nketiah are also selected for the first time at U21 level, with the Newcastle man having previously featured with the U20s last year and Arsenal's Nketiah being part of this season's U19s group.

“The Toulon Tournament is one that we are all looking forward to and we’ll be playing some really good and tough global opposition," said Boothroyd.

“As the tournament rules only allow players born in 1997 and younger, it means that we have the chance to look at some of our players from the U20s and see how they develop in this group.

“Everything we do is focused on next summer’s Euros and qualification, so we will use our time in France to look at different systems and use players in different positions. It is also a great chance to replicate a major tournament environment and schedule.

“Ultimately we want to win every game and will be looking for that from the squad on and off the pitch.”

Expand England lifted the Toulon trophy in 2017 under Neil Dewsnip, after winning it in 2016 under Gareth Southgate

England will kick-off the tournament against China at Aubagne’s Stade de Lattre on Saturday 26 May.

They’ll be back in action three days later when Mexico are the opponents in Salon, before the group fixtures are rounded off against Qatar on Friday 1 June at the Stade Parsemain in Fos-sur-Mer.

All 12 nations will then play a fourth game on 5 and 6 June to decide the final rankings or a semi-final on 6 June, before the final takes place in Martigues on Saturday 9 June.

England’s UEFA U21 Euros 2019 qualification campaign continues this autumn, when they host Netherlands (6 September) before travelling to Latvia (11 September) with venue details to be announced in the coming weeks.

The squad

Goalkeepers: Aaron Ramsdale (AFC Bournemouth), Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United)

Defenders: Jake Clarke-Salter (Chelsea), Jay Dasilva (Chelsea), Dael Fry (Middlesbrough), Jonjoe Kenny (Everton), Ezri Konsa (Charlton Athletic), Tom Pearce (Leeds United), Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea), Kyle Walker-Peters (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Harvey Barnes (Leicester City), Lewis Cook (AFC Bournemouth), Tom Davies (Everton), Kieran Dowell (Everton), Ovie Ejaria (Liverpool), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal)

Forwards: Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Adam Armstrong (Newcastle United), Edward Nketiah (Arsenal), Lukas Nmecha (Manchester City)