Academy skipper Ciaran Clark has been named in the England squad for next month's Elite Round of qualifying for the European U19 Championships.

The central defender, who hopes to lead Villa to Academy play-off glory against FA Youth Cup winners Manchester City on Sunday, joins Brian Eastick's 18-man squad.

England have been placed in Group One and will take on their hosts Belarus along with Serbia and Poland as they aim to reach the Championship Finals, which will be held in the Czech Republic in July.

The first stage of qualifying took place in October when England won all three of their games against Iceland (5-1), Romania (6-0) and Belgium (3-1) to seal their place in the Elite Round.