BASILDON based defender James Tomkins has received his first ever call up into the England under 21 squad.

The West Ham United centre-back, who has featured for England at every age level up to under 20, has yet to be capped at under 21 level but could now make his debut in the friendly against Azerbaijan at MK Dons on Monday 8 June.

The 20-year-old former Chalvedon School pupil was part of England's squad at last summer's UEFA European Under-19 Championship tournament in Czech Republic.

And manager Stuart Pearce insisted he had no hesitation in picking the defender, who made 15 first-team appearances for West Ham during a successful 2008/09 campaign.

"James Tomkins has come through the England youth ranks and had a good season at West Ham,” said Pearce.

“This tournament experience will be invaluable to him.”

Former Hammers defender Pearce's squad will take on Finland in their opening Group B match in Halmstad on Monday 15 June.

The Young Lions will face Spain in Gothenburg on Thursday 18 June before completing their group stage campaign by tackling Germany in Halmstad on Monday 22 June.

Aston Villa duo Gabriel Agbonlahor and James Milner, Arsenal's Theo Walcott, Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor and Manchester City defender Micah Richards are all included in the 23-man squad but another former Chalvedon School pupil, Michael Kightly, misses out with a foot injury.

"We are very pleased with the overall balance of the squad," said Pearce.

"We have three or four players who are extremely versatile and can play in a number of positions. We also have a young squad with the players such as Fabrice Muamba, Lee Cattermole, Kieran Gibbs, Danny Welbeck and Jack Rodwell all being available for the next campaign, so this experience will be vital for them.

"They may be young, but they have all had good experience with their clubs this season and we believe they are the finished articles at this level."

Group A contains hosts Sweden, Belarus, Italy and Serbia, with the final being played in Malmo on Monday 29 June.

Full squad Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Joe Lewis (Peterborough United), Scott Loach (Watford) Defenders: Martin Cranie (Portsmouth), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Michael Mancienne (Chelsea), Nedum Onuoha (Manchester City), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Andrew Taylor (Middlesbrough), Steven Taylor (Newcastle United), James Tomkins (West Ham United) Midfielders: Lee Cattermole (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Driver (Hearts), Craig Gardner (Aston Villa), Adam Johnson (Middlesbrough), James Milner (Aston Villa), Fabrice Muamba (Bolton Wanderers), Mark Noble (West Ham United), Jack Rodwell (Everton) Forwards: Theo Walcott (Arsenal) Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Frazier Campbell (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United).