Duo earn England call-up

4:34pm Tuesday 26th August 2008

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HARRIERS duo Russ Penn and Adam Bartlett have been selected for England C's squad playing in Bosnia Herzegovinia on Tuesday, September 16.

The national non-league side will take on Bosnia's second team at the Grbavica Stadium in Sarajevo.

Manager Paul Fairclough will cast his eye on several up and coming stars as he has selected a young squad for the trip to the Balkans.

Penn and Bartlett both impressed the England boss during the summer, when they were part of the squad that won the Four Nations tournament and played against Grenada and Barbados abroad.

There is a return to the squad for Ebbsfleet’s 'keeper Lance Cronin who missed the last few games because of injury.

Cronin’s team mate James Smith retains his place following a very impressive debut in Barbados. Conference newcomers Mansfield Town and Wrexham are also represented in Fairclough’s first squad of the season.

The game also provides an opportunity to discuss with the Bosnian FA the possibility of them entering a side in the 2009-11 International Challenge Trophy.

FA Leagues Manager Mike Appleby, who is also the ICT Tournament Director is aware of their interest.

“I have spoken with the Bosnian’s on a number of occasions and I know that they are keen to provide a competitive fixture programme for their A2 side. Hopefully during our trip to Sarajevo we will be able to discuss arrangements for the next competition in more detail and secure their entry," he said.

England Squad: Lance Cronin (Ebbsfleet United), Adam Bartlett (Kidderminster Harriers), John Brayford (Burton Albion), Anton Robinson (Weymouth), Danny Gleeson (Cambridge United), Jonathan D’Laryea (Mansfield Town), Luke Foster (Oxford United), Carl Tremarco (Wrexham), James Smith (Ebbsfleet United), Russell Penn (Kidderminster Harriers), Jamie Stevens (Crawley Town), Richard Brodie (York City), Luke Moore (Ebbsfleet United), Mitchell Cole (Stevenage Borough), Shaun Harrad (Burton Albion) and Nathan Arnold (Mansfield Town).