England U21s squad: Lee Carsley makes five changes for Serbia and Ukraine qualifiers

Lee Carsley took charge of the U21s in 2021

England Under-21s boss Lee Carsley has made five changes to his squad for the European Championship qualifiers.

They are seeking to defend their title with a host of new players, with the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Gordon now ineligible.

Newcastle United's Tino Livramento is the most notable inclusion, having missed the European Championship victory in the summer through injury.

"Tino is a player we rate highly," said Carsley.

"It's going to be good to have him back in and around the squad. He's been out for a while injured, so we'll be looking to support him and Newcastle with that."

Carsley's side opened qualifying for the 2025 tournament with a 3-0 win against Luxembourg in September, in their first fixture since winning the European Championship two months earlier.

Of the squad that won the tournament in Georgia, 15 are no longer available due to age restrictions - including Nottingham Forest midfielder Gibbs-White and Newcastle winger Gordon.

With Serbia and Ukraine to come in qualifying this month, Carsley has handed first call-ups to goalkeeper Matthew Cox (Bristol Rovers), defender Jarell Quansah (Liverpool) and forwards Jaden Philogene (Hull City) and Jonathan Rowe (Norwich City), while seven players who won the European title are also included.

"Jaden and Jonathan are both doing really well with their clubs at the minute - they're players who are in form which is always a good position for us to be in," said Carsley.

"We also have Jarell Quansah in the squad for the first time. He's been getting game time at Liverpool, which as we know is a really tough team to get into for any player, so he deserves to be a part of this squad.

The likes of Burnley's James Trafford, Manchester City's Rico Lewis and Chelsea duo Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke provide experience alongside the debutants.

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill remains eligible for the U21s but was selected by Gareth Southgate for the senior side's games against Australia and Italy this month.

The Young Lions host Serbia at the City Ground on Thursday, 12 October, before travelling to the Kosicka Futbalova Arena in Slovakia to face Ukraine the following Monday.

England U21 squad to face Serbia and Ukraine

Goalkeepers: James Beadle (Oxford United, loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Matthew Cox (Bristol Rovers, loan from Brentford), James Trafford (Burnley)

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Charlie Cresswell (Leeds United), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton, loan from Manchester City), Bashir Humphreys (Swansea City, loan from Chelsea), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Brooke Norton-Cuffy (Millwall, loan from Arsenal), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough), James McAtee (Sheffield United, loan from Manchester City), Charlie Patino (Swansea City, loan from Arsenal), Aaron Ramsey (Burnley)

Forwards: Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (Borussia Dortmund), Liam Delap (Hull City, loan from Manchester City), Sam Iling-Junior (Juventus), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Jaden Philogene (Hull City), Jonathan Rowe (Norwich City)