The 17-year-old Southampton winger Alex Chamberlain, linked with a big money move to Arsenal during the January transfer window, has been called up to the England U21 squad for the first time.

A move failed to materialise for the talented youngster, who was wanted by the Gunners and also said to have interested Manchesterd United.

"I saw Southampton play Manchester United in The FA Cup on Saturday and Alex Chamberlain is showing a lot of promise so we thought we'd bring him into the squad," said the U21 coach Stuart Pearce.

He was one of three new faces in Pearce's squad to face Italy in Empoli on Tuesday, with Burnley's Jay Rodriguez and Middlesbrough's Joe Bennett also handed their first calls.

"We're missing a number of players through injury, but it will give me a chance to look at a few new players," said Pearce.

"Rodriguez has been playing well for Burnley and deserves an opportunity with the U21s. Joe Bennett at Middlesbrough has previously played for the U19s and his performances for Tony Mowbray have been impressive."

The friendly in Italy will provide the start of England's build-up to the U21 European Championship finals, being held in Denmark in June.

"This game, and the ones coming up in March, will give players the chance to try and cement their place in the final 23 for the summer," added Pearce.

"the message will be that we have games coming up for the players to impress upon the coaching staff their credentials for a place on the plane to Denmark.

"We want to have a tough job of narrowing down to 23 so we have the best chance of success in the summer."

Squad: Fielding (Blackburn), Loach (Watford), Steele (Middlesbrough); Bennett (Middlesbrough), Gibbs (Arsenal), Kelly (Liverpool), Mee, Richards (both Manchester City), Smalling (Manchester United), Tomkins (West Ham), Walker (Tottenham); Albrighton (Aston Villa), Cork (Chelsea), Delph (Aston Villa), Oxlade-Chamberlain (Southampton), Henderson (Sunderland), Lansbury (Arsenal), Muamba (Bolton), Rodwell (Everton), Sinclair (Swansea); Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Rodriguez (Burnley), Sturridge (Chelsea).