STEWART DOWNING'S international aspirations will be realised in England's friendly against Holland on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old Middlesbrough midfielder was not included in Peter Taylor's England Under-21 squad for Tuesday's friendly with Holland at Pride Park.

His absence suggests Sven Goran Eriksson will name Downing in his full squad for the following night's game at Villa Park.

Eriksson has previously admitted there was every possibility Downing would be included after several sparkling performances caught the England manager's eye.

He said: "Almost for sure I will pick him for the Holland game and if I pick him, he will play part of the game at least.

"I saw him last weekend and I think he did well. Every game we have scouts there - and I have Steve McClaren there. He is getting better and better. He will almost for sure be picked."

Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson is expected to be the other new face included in the Swede's 22.

Eriksson added: "Holland have so many skilful players and I'm looking forward to seeing how our own team rises to this challenge."

England will wear shirts bearing an anti-racism message for the game.

It will be the first time in 133 years of international football that the front of the England shirt will have carried anything other than the Three Lions badge and manufacturer's logo.

The team's red shirts will have a slogan on the front and the 'Kick It Out' badge on the sleeves.

The Riverside Stadium has been chosen to host England's European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Azerbaijan next month.

Boro boss Steve McClaren welcomed the FA's decision to choose Teesside as the venue for such an important clash.

He said: "We are delighted that the Riverside is getting another chance to host an England Under-21 match. It is an honour not only for the club but also for the people of Teesside.

"These matches have proved to be a big success in the past and I am sure that the Teesside public will come out in force to see the stars of the future."

The Riverside has enjoyed four England Under-21 matches so far, including wins over Austria, Georgia and Albania.

England will be in action four days before the clash at the Riverside when they play Germany in another European Championship qualifier at Hull's KC Stadium.

* Mark Schwarzer yesterday put pen to paper on the new three-year deal he agreed with Boro last month.

The Aussie goalkeeper appeared to be on his way out of the Riverside after contract negotiations stalled last year.

But the two parties finally reached an agreement and Schwarzer said last night: "Staying at Middlesbrough has always been my first choice and, despite the rumours, neither the club nor I entered into negotiations with any other club for a transfer or pre-contractual agreement.

"The new deal will run until the summer of 2008, and will extend my stay to over 11 years, a very unusual occurrence in modern football, especially at the top level.

"I hope that those team-mates who haven't committed their futures to the club might follow my lead.

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