Jack Rodwell heads a list of five players who have withdrawn from the England U21 squad for friendlies against Denmark and Iceland this week.

Gary Hooper, Mark Davies, Henri Lansbury and Alex Smithies have also pulled out of the games, which will serve as warm-ups for the European Championship this summer.

Rodwell suffered an injury in Everton's 2-1 win over Fulham on Saturday, while Hooper - still uncapped at this level - was hurt playing for Celtic in the Scottish Cup final defeat to Rangers.

Davies, Lansbury and Smithies have also reported slight knocks and return to Bolton, Norwich and Huddersfield respectively.

Coach Stuart Pearce still has 26 players to choose from for Thursday's game against Denmark in Viborg and the subsequent match against Iceland in Preston next Monday.