Wilshere named in England U-21 squad but no place for Carroll

Andy Carroll is the surprise omission from England's Under-21 squad for the crunch 2011 European Championship play-off against Romania.

The Newcastle striker has been in blistering form so far this season but there is no place for him in Stuart Pearce's squad, fuelling speculation the 21-year-old could be set for a first senior call-up.

But Pearce has named both Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs in the 23-man party despite growing calls for the Arsenal duo to be part of Fabio Capello's set-up.

Pearce has a strong squad to choose from for the first-leg against Romania at Carrow Road on October 8 and the return match in Botosani four days later as England bid to qualify for next year's tournament in Denmark.

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, Manchester City’s Micah Richards and Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge have all tasted European football this season.

The England Under-21 squad:
Frankie Fielding (Blackburn Rovers), Scott Loach (Watford), Alex Smithies (Huddersfield Town), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jones ( Blackburn Rovers), Martin Kelly (Liverpool), Michael Mancienne (Chelsea), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Chris Smalling (Man Utd), Kyle Walker (Tottenham), Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa), Tom Cleverley (Man Utd), Jack Cork (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Sunderland), Henri Lansbury (Arsenal), Fabrice Muamba (Bolton Wanderers), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Danny Welbeck (Man Utd)