NORTH-EAST-based trio Jonathan Greening, Mark Wilson and Andy Griffin have been included in David Platt's latest England Under-21 squad.

But there is no place in the trimmed 24-man list, to face Germany in Freiburg on August 31 and Albania at the Riverside on September 4, for Griffin's Newcastle United teammate Shola Ameobi.

The 19-year-old, who has been in good form for the Magpies, has lost out after missing the 4-0 win over Holland with a groin injury.

Platt, however, insists that Ameobi remains part of his plans. He said: "The significance of a player like Shola not being in there reflects good on the squad.

"There's a stand-by squad which Shola is on. The strikers I have in there - like Darius Vassell, Malcolm Christie, Francis Jeffers and Jermain Defoe - are in on the basis of how well they did against Holland.

"I had 27 players in my squad the last time and I didn't want that this time. That is why I have reduced it."

England, similar to the senior squad, need to win both matches if they are going to stand any chance of qualifying for the UEFA Under-21 Championship.

And should they succeed in their first task in Germany then it sets up nicely the clash with Albania at the Riverside, where Middlesbrough pair Greening and Wilson will be appearing on their home turf.

And Platt, who is hoping for a large Teesside crowd, is delighted with the duo's attitude towards the game. He said: "Greening started against Holland and Wilson came on in the second half and they both played well.

"What is pleasing about them is that they are very hardworking in training."

The most notable absentee from the group of players who will come together on Monday is Bayern Munich's Owen Hargreaves.

There had been suggestions that Hargreaves would find himself dropped from Sven Goran Eriksson's senior squad because of his disappointing first cap performance against the Dutch.

However, Platt defended the midfielder and revealed that Eriksson will include him in the Swede's own squad to face the Germans.

"It would be silly of me to say wait until Sven announces his squad on Sunday," he said.

"We have had discussions about Owen and I think that he deserves to be included.

"He had 45 minutes against Holland and he did not do as well as he can, but I don't think any of the 11 players that night shone.

"Owen had been hyped up, more than what he should have been, and Sven had the chance to see him at close quarters and was impressed with him."

Platt, meanwhile, has not decided who will be wearing the captain's armband.

Chelsea's John Terry is normally skipper but he is ruled out through suspension.

And Platt said: "It was going to be David Dunn but he is injured. I have thoughts but I have not made a definite decision yet."

Tickets for the Riverside clash have been priced low to try to attract a large attendance.

All Under 16s can go for just a £1 and adults tickets are £5.

Group bookings are available, which allows ten children to go in free of charge if accompanied by a paying adult