LEWIS Cook has retained his place in the England under-21s squad as Aidy Boothroyd's troops continue their preparations for next year's European Championship with two friendly clashes.

Cherries midfielder Cook will hope to feature when the Young Lions face Italy in Ferrara on Thursday, November 15 before taking on Denmark in Esbjerg on Tuesday, November 20.

Boothroyd told the FA website: “They are two very good games for us after we secured qualification in October.

“One of them is in Italy, where the championship is taking place next summer. It will be a real test but that’s what we want.

"Denmark are a good side and they switch up things tactically and have a certain style in which they play the game.

“We can work on things which we might not necessarily have done in the qualifying games, which will help us towards competing against the best teams in Europe next summer."

England's will find out their draw for the European Championship on Friday, November 23. The tournament is being hosted by Italy and San Marino.