Two Bulls in National Squad

The 30 strong National Game squad, who play Italy next month at Cambridge, has been announced this lunchtime by the FA. Manager Paul Fairclough has chosen two Hereford United players, Tamika Mkandawire and Rob Purdie.

Beaten FA Cup side Burton Albion provides three of the squad. Shaun Harrad, Ryan Austin and John Shaw have all been called-up for the first time into Fairclough's initial 26 player squad.

Another player who recently experienced playing in the third round of the FA Cup, Dave Bampton of Tamworth, is also chosen.

The Morecambe duo of Chris Blackburn and David Perkins, Accrington's Ian Craney and Hereford United's Rob Purdie are the only survivors from the last meeting between the two sides, a 1-0 England victory in Ivrea in November 2004.

Fairclough is expected to select his 16 strong squad on February 1st.

England Squad:

Ian Craney and Gary Roberts (Accrington Stanley), Ryan Austin, Shaun Harrad and Jon Shaw (Burton Albion), Craig Mackail-Smith (Dagenham & Redbridge), Paul Jones, Billy Jones and Craig Farrell (Exeter City), Craig Holloway (Gravesend & Northfleet), Tyrone Thompson (Halifax Town), Tamika Mkandawire and Rob Purdie (Hereford United), David Perkins and Chris Blackburn (Morecambe), Michael Carr and Kieron Charnock (Northwich Victoria), Carl Baker (Southport), George Boyd and Ronnie Henry (Stevenage Borough), David Bampton (Tamworth), Karl Murray and Shwan Jalal (Woking), Steven Wales (Yeading), Andrew Bishop and Clayton Donalson (York City)

Meanwhile this year's Four Nations Tournament is scheduled to be played in England between 21-28 May, with venues to be confirmed at the end of February.

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