FORMER Clitheroe loanee Duncan Watmore has earned his first call-up into the England Under-21 squad for the forthcoming matches against the United States and Norway.

The Sunderland striker, who spent time on loan with the Blues from Altrincham in 2012 making four appearances at Shawbridge, has been rewarded for his fine start to the season with the Black Cats which saw him score his first Premier League goal against Norwich.

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The 21-year-old joined Sunderland from non-league side Altrincham in 2013.

He is joined in the squad by Liverpool duo Jordon Ibe and Joe Gomez and Everton’s Brendan Galloway who are among 14 uncapped players.

The Young Lions, looking to bounce back from a disappointing European Championship campaign over the summer, face USA Under-23s next Thursday at Preston’s Deepdale before taking on Norway Under-21s away the following Monday.

Despite being eligible Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling, Everton’s John Stones and Manchester United’s Luke Shaw were all left out.

Squad: Angus Gunn (Manchester City), Jordan Pickford (Preston - on loan from Sunderland), Christian Walton (Bury - on loan from Brighton), Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Brendan Galloway (Everton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Kortney Hause, Dominic Iorfa (both Wolves), Jack Stephens (Middles-brough - on loan from Southampton), Matt Targett (Southampton), Dele Alli (Tottenham), Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea), Jake Forster-Caskey (Brighton), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Chuba Akpom (Hull - on loan from Arsenal), Jordon Ibe (Liverpool), Solly March (Brighton), Nathan Redmond (Norwich), Duncan Watmore (Sunderland), James Wilson (Manchester United), Cauley Woodrow (Fulham).