Cumbrian stars James Trafford and Jarrad Branthwaite have been named in an England Under-21 squad ahead of this summer’s European Championships.

The 20-year-old duo are in a 24-man group for a preparation camp that will take place at St George’s Park.

Both players will then hope to make the cut when the final squad is named on June 14 for the championships.

Goalkeeper Trafford and defender Branthwaite have earned their places in Lee Carsley’s squad after impressive seasons with Bolton Wanderers and PSV Eindhoven respectively.

Trafford has several Under-21 caps to his name already and will be expected to be involved in the Euros.

Ex-Carlisle United star Branthwaite, meanwhile, was denied his Under-21 debut by injury in March and will now aim to impress the international set-up in a bid to play a part in the finals in Romania and Georgia.

Trafford, from Greysouthen, has starred for Bolton in League One during a season-long loan from Manchester City.

He helped the League One club to the Papa John’s Trophy as well as the third-tier play-offs, contributing 26 clean sheets from 52 appearances.

Wigton’s Branthwaite, meanwhile, has shone in the Netherlands with PSV amid a season-long loan from Everton.

His involvement under Ruud van Nistelrooy helped PSV win the KNVB Cup whilst Branthwaite has been watched by a number of big European clubs.

The two former Carlisle academy players are joined in the Under-21 preparation camp by players such as Arsenal’s Emile Smith-Rowe, Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones.

In the Euros, which run from June 21 to July 8, England take on the Czech Republic, Israel and Germany in the group stage.