Addicks duo get international calls

Charlton defenders Martin Cranie and Grant Basey could clash on the international stage after the duo were named in their respective England and Wales U21 squads for their European Championship shoot-out.

Charlton defender Martin Cranie has been named in the England U21 party for their European Championship shoot-out with Wales

On-loan Portsmouth right-back Cranie will hope to give England a helping hand in their quest for next year's competition in Sweden when the match takes place in Cardiff next week, while Basey will be bidding to win his first cap at U21 level.

England, for whom Cranie has been picked in a 23-strong squad, face Wales over two legs on Friday, October 10th and Tuesday, October 14th, as they bid for a summer in Scandinavia.

First, Stuart Pearce's side will cross the Severn Bridge to take on Wales at Ninian Park, in a match which will be screened live on Sky Sports (kick-off 7.45pm).

After the draw was made, Pearce said: "When two British teams play against each other there's always something special in the match. It's going to be tough for both. I don't think Wales wanted to play us before the draw and we didn't want to play Wales. There are a lot of good teams in the draw and I think the finals next summer will be fantastic, I really do."

Pearce will be looking to grab the early incentive after leading his side to a 2-0 friendly win in Wrexham in May .

"That result in May probably flattered us on the day, we didn't play particularly well," said Pearce. "Wales at this level are the strongest they have been in their history. They have seven players with full caps. There are not too many countries in Europe that can boast that."

Wales have included Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey in their squad, but coach Brian Flynn has not called for Wayne Hennessey, Chris Gunter, Gareth Bale, Joe Ledley, Ched Evans and Sam Vokes, who are all expected to feature in the senior party for their World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Germany.

The Welsh youngsters will also be without injured Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams, whose volley put Wales on course to a 3-0 victory over Romania in September to help them finish top of Group 10.

Flynn said: "People over here disregarded our chances in Romania. We had to go there to win because a draw was not good enough. Romania hadn't lost for 18 games so it shows we are capable of upsetting the odds, that's for certain."

After the game in Wrexham, the Anglo-Welsh duel resumes in Birmingham three days later with Villa Park playing host to two sides aiming for Swede success. Again, the action kicks off at 7.45pm, but this time Setanta Sports is transmitting all the action live.

Cranie, on loan from Pompey until the end of the year, is set for his sixth appearance for the Addicks against Ipswich Town on Saturday, while Basey could also be included in the starting XI after Alan Pardew hinted he could make changes to his team following Tuesday's defeat at Crystal Palace.

Cranie has played eight times for England U21s and helped Pearce's side win their qualifying group at Wembley on September 5th as Portugal were beaten 2-0.

After the international break, Cranie and Basey will head back to Wales as Charlton square up to Dave Jones' Cardiff City on October 18th.