Connolly joins England

ByEurosport

Published 13/11/2006 at 19:37 GMT

Arsenal youth team player Matthew Connolly trained with the under-strength England squad on Monday. The former England Under-19 international joined in with 16 players who were not in action for their club sides on Sunday although is not expected to take part in Wednesday's Holland friendly.

FOOTBALL 2006-2007 Int. Friendlies Arsenal England Matthew Connolly

Image credit: Imago

The original 28-man squad has been reduced to 21, with eight players withdrawing and only Manchester United winger Kieran Richardson called up from the Under 21s as a replacement.

Connolly was involved after the withdrawals of Spurs Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon on Monday, a session which also included Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson and striker Jermain Defoe, the latter only playing as a substitute in the 3-1 defeat at Reading on Sunday.

Gary Neville, Stewart Downing, Scott Parker, Chris Kirkland, Darren Bent and Ledley King also withdrew from the squad for various reasons.

Champions League