ENGLAND under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd praised the mix of youth and experience within the Cherries squad.

The Young Lions took on Germany at Vitality Stadium last week, losing 2-1 late on despite a goal from Cherries striker Dominic Solanke.

The frontman is one of many young British players available to Eddie Howe with the likes of David Brooks and Chris Mepham both recently starring for the Dorset club.

And while Boothroyd understood the common Premier League approach of signing foreign players due to the price tags placed on British stars, he heralded the current blend at Cherries.

Boothroyd told the Daily Echo: “Any really good team, generally, has a lot of young players and some seniors to supplement it and that seems to be what is going on here.

“A mixture of players who have come from different leagues but also lads who plied their trade in the lower leagues as well, which I think is a credit.

“It is great to see lads like Simon Francis, who played for Southend, now playing in the Premier League. It is brilliant.

“It doesn’t matter if you go to the world stage straightaway. You just have to keep going and keep believing.”