International watch: Wilshere in action, Gibbs pulls out

Jack Wilshere, Kyle Bartley-England u-17s 1 France 1

Jack played 90 minutes as England drew 1-1 with France in their opening match of their Elite round qualifying campaign. Thomas Cruise missed out through injury, but Kyle Bartley who was a late call up to the squad was on the bench. England went ahead through Jack Rodwell on 58 minutes, but Mezui notched for France 20 minutes later to level proceedings. England’s next game is against Russia on Thursday.

In other news, Kieran Gibbs who is currently on loan at Norwich City has pulled out of the England u-19 squad to play Russia tomorrow because of injury and has been replaced by West Ham’s Junio Stanislas.

Match report from the reserves’ 1-1 draw with Chelsea on the way.