Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach is unlikely to be named in the full England squad for the forthcoming European qualifiers after being called up by the Under-21s.

Loach and Blackburn Rovers’ keeper Frankie Fielding were called up by Fabio Capello for the recent friendly with Hungary but both have been named in the Under-21 squad this afternoon.

Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere is also back in Stuart Pearce’s 24-man squad for the crucial European Under-21 Championship qualifiers.

England, who have also included former Watford loanees Henri Lansbury (Arsenal), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Jack Cork (Chelsea) and Danny Rose (Tottenham) in the group, must beat Portugal away on September 3 and Lithuania at home on September 7 to stand any chance of progressing to the finals next year.

"It's the strongest squad we could have got at this stage of the season,” said Pearce.

“Kieran Gibbs aside, we’re looking pretty strong. I was very impressed with the contribution of the players in the last match and the majority of those players are in, with one or two additions on top of that.”

England Under-21 squad: Frankie Fielding (Blackburn Rovers), Scott Loach (Watford), Alex Smithies (Huddersfield Town); Ryan Bertrand (Nottingham Forest (on loan from Chelsea), Phil Jones, (Blackburn Rovers), Martin Kelly (Liverpool), Michael Mancienne (Chelsea), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur); Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Jack Cork (Burnley (on loan from Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Sunderland), Henri Lansbury (Arsenal), Victor Moses (Wigan Athletic), Fabrice Muamba (Bolton Wanderers), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal); Andy Carroll (Newcastle United), Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Danny Welbeck (Sunderland (on loan from Manchester United).