Woolston Called Up For European Championships

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Newcastle United goalkeeper Paul Woolston has been called up by England for this summer's UEFA European Under-17 Championships in Bulgaria.

The 16-year-old shot-stopper started all three of the Young Lions' first round of qualifying matches last October, then played in Elite qualifying round victories over Norway and Slovenia last month as England secured their place at the finals with a 100 per cent record.

John Peacock's side are the current holders of the tournament and beat Holland in last year's final. Adam Armstrong and Freddie Woodman were both part of that victorious squad, and North Shields-born Woolston is hoping to follow in their footsteps.

The competition takes place between 6th May and 22nd May and England are in Group D alongside Republic of Ireland, Holland and Italy.

"Freddie was the hero in the final last year when it went to a penalty shoot-out and I wouldn't mind repeating what he did - although hopefully we won't need penalties this time," Woolston told nufc.co.uk recently. "We're the holders so we're going to try and retain the trophy.

"It will be difficult but everybody in the team will be up for it.

"It's a tough group, especially with Holland in there who beat us at the Algarve Tournament recently, but we'll be keen to make up for that at the Euros."

Woolston has started Newcastle's last two Barclays Under-21 Premier League games.

The England under-17 squad is: Paul Woolston (Newcastle United), Will Huffer (Leeds United), Danny Collinge (Stuttgart), Reece Oxford (West Ham United), Easah Suliman (Aston Villa), James Yates (Everton), Jay DaSilva (Chelsea), Tayo Edun (Fulham), Trent Arnold (Liverpool), Daniel Wright (Sunderland), Herbie Kane (Liverpool), Tom Davies (Everton), Marcus Edwards (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathan Holland (Everton), Chris Willock (Arsenal), Layton Ndukwu (Leicester City), Stephy Mavididi (Arsenal), Ike Ugbo (Chelsea).