Tottenham star Tom Huddlestone has been drafted into England's Under-21 squad for Thursday's friendly with Wales after Mark Noble withdrew.Noble, the West Ham midfielder, pulled out after picking up a knock and Huddlestone is a like-for-like replacement, giving him another chance to impress after being called into Fabio Capello's senior squad.

Capello has also selected Joe Hart, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Theo Walcott and David Wheater for the senior friendlies against USA and Trinidad and Tobago but all of them could feature for the Under-21s at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.

Fraizer Campbell did not join up with Stuart Pearce's squad as he is preparing for Hull's Championship play-off against Watford, while Tom Heaton is on Champions League duty with Manchester United.

Along with Noble, Danny Fox and Matt Connolly have pulled out through injury, meaning Pearce will have 19 players to choose from in his squad.

England's youngsters have virtually assured themselves a play-off to reach the European Championships next summer in Sweden after Pearce led them the semi-finals a year ago.

Pearce's side have remained unbeaten since, although he has rested senior players such as Steven Taylor and James Milner for his friendly.

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