Rodwell features as England Under-21s get off to winning start

Jack Rodwell is the only one of the top 50 who is playing at the European Under-21 Championships in Sweden, and he came off the bench on day one to play a part in England’s 2-1 victory over Finland.

The Under-21 Finals receives enough major media attention to mean that this site won’t cover it in the same manner as it has some of the others, which aren’t covered so widely, but interest in Rodwell remains. As the youngest player in Stuart Pearce’s squad, he took his place on the bench and watched as Lee Cattermole put England ahead after 13 minutes in slightly fortuitous fashion. Things went wrong for the Three Lions though when Michael Mancienne was penalised for bringing down the last man in the penalty area, and was sent off. Tim Sparv, formerly of Southampton, scored the penalty to equalise.

England were to eventually take the lead again through Micah Richards, and with five minutes left and under some heavy Finnish pressure, Pearce put Rodwell on for Agbonlahor to secure the defence and keep the ball, which he did well and helped see England home for a vital three points.