PAUL FAIRCLOUGH believes he’s picked his strongest England C squad in some time – with Keanu Marsh-Brown making his return to the international fold.
Non-League‘s Three Lions begin their International Challenge Trophy campaign in Kiev on Tuesday, March 22.
Fairclough has included seven new faces in his 16-man squad with Cheltenham Town duo Jack Barthram and Billy Waters two of those in line for debuts.
Braintree’s Sam Habergham gets his first nod, along with Forest Green’s Anthony Jeffrey, Wrexham striker Kayden Jackson and Woking‘s John Goddard, who was at an England C training camp earlier this season.
Forest Green winger Marsh-Brown is back, a welcome bonus for Fairclough, having previously been a squad regular with his eight goals so far this season impressing the C boss.
Goalkeepers – Ebbsfleet’s Brandon Hall and Harrogate’s Peter Crook, winning his first call – are the only two players from outside the National League.
Fairclough said: “This is an interesting game against new opponents who will no doubt be technically good. I am excited about the squad, which is one of the strongest we have had for some time.”
Up next for England will be a home game with Slovakia on Sunday, June 5 before their final group fixture in Estonia in November.
England C squad for Ukraine: Brandon Hall (Ebbsfleet U), Peter Crook (Harrogate T), Sam Habergham (Braintree T), James Bolton (FC Halifax T), Ben Heneghan (Chester), Sean Raggett (Dover Ath), Jack Barthram (Cheltenham T), Jake Gallagher (Aldershot T), Alex Woodyard (Braintree T), Jon Nolan (Grimsby T), Anthony Jeffrey (Forest Green Rovers), John Goddard (Woking), Billy Waters (Cheltenham T), Keanu Marsh-Brown (Forest Green Rovers), Omar Bogle (Grimsby T), Kayden Jackson (Wrexham)
