MIDDLESBROUGH goalkeeper Jason Steele and Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson have been included in Stuart Pearce's final 23-man England squad for next month's European Under-21 Championships in Denmark.

However, there is no place for Boro defender Joe Bennett, who had been included in Pearce's provisional squad, or Arsenal's Jack Wilshere and Liverpool's Andy Carroll, who had been the subject of heated discussion following their graduation to the senior squad in recent months.

Wilshere is, however, selected in Fabio Capello's 26-man party for England's senior European Championships qualifier with Switzerland at Wembley on June 4.

Rio Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora return to the squad for the first time in 2011, while there is also a recall for Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick.

With Wayne Rooney suspended following his booking against Wales, Zamora joins Darren Bent, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe in a somewhat threadbare attacking unit.

England are also short of options in goal, with former Darlington youngster David Stockdale providing cover to first-choice Joe Hart and reserve Scott Carson following Ben Foster's recent international retirement.

Despite only recently regaining his fitness, Zamora could be a surprise starter as England look to pull ahead of joint Group G leaders Montenegro, who entertain Bulgaria on the same night as Switzerland visit Wembley, although Bent is the man in possession of a starting spot, having scored England's second goal in March's 2-0 win in Wales.

The former Sunderland striker is likely to start as a lone striker, with Ashley Young, Adam Johnson and Theo Walcott competing for the right to provide support from either flank.

With Steven Gerrard unavailable because of injury, England's midfield trio is likely to comprise Scott Parker, Frank Lampard and Wilshere.

Wilshere's absence from the Under-21 Championship will please his club manager, Arsene Wenger, who has repeatedly warned of the potential risks of exposing the 19-year-old to too much football at such an early stage of his career.

The midfielder has already played in 49 senior matches this season, and his summer break will be curtailed following Arsenal's failure to qualify automatically for the group stages of the Champions League.

Last month, Pearce claimed Wilshere had expressed a desire to represent his country in Denmark, but the youngster subsequently voiced concerns about his fitness levels at the end of a gruelling campaign.

"Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere will not be part of the Under-21 squad which travels to Denmark," said Pearce, who has selected four players with senior international experience - Henderson, Micah Richards, Kieron Gibbs and Danny Welbeck.

"Andy has been ruled out through injury. I spoke to Jack last week and he explained that while he told me in March that he wanted to be part of the squad, he now feels he is not in the best condition to take part in the finals.

"That is based on the number of games he has played for Arsenal this season, sports science data which Jack was presented with last week and concerns he has for his fitness looking ahead to next season.

"Jack has always expressed his enjoyment at being involved with the Under-21 squad, and while I am disappointed not to have him with us for the finals, I've accepted the situation."

Newton Aycliffe-born Steele is one of three goalkeepers named in Pearce's squad, along with Reading's Alex McCarthy and Derby's Frankie Fielding, who is expected to travel to Denmark as first choice.

Northallerton-based Bennett misses out because of the availability of Gibbs and Chelsea's Ryan Bertrand - late last night, he tweeted, "Bit gutted but can concentrate on MFC now" - but Sunderland-born Henderson is likely to be a key member of England's first-choice midfield.

In attack, Pearce must choose from Welbeck, who has returned to Manchester United following a loan spell at Sunderland, Aston Villa's Nathan Delfouneso, Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge and Ipswich's Connor Wickham.

England Under-21s meet Spain in their opening group game on June 12, before also taking on Ukraine and Czech Republic.

The senior squad only play one game before the end of the season, but with last October's goalless draw with Montenegro having removed any room for error, it could be a significant one.

March's win in Wales propelled England back to the top of the table on goal difference, but Capello will be keen to avoid October's final group game in the Montenegrin capital Podgorica turning into a winner-takes-all battle for the one automatic qualifying spot.

ENGLAND (vs Switzerland, June 4): Scott Carson (West Brom), Joe Hart (Manchester City), David Stockdale (Fulham); Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Bolton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Man United), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Man City), John Terry (Chelsea), Kyle Walker (Tottenham); Gareth Barry (Man City), Michael Carrick (Man United), Stewart Downing (Aston Villa), Adam Johnson (Man City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Man City), Scott Parker (West Ham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa); Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Bobby Zamora (Fulham).

ENGLAND UNDER-21s (for European Championships): Frankie Fielding (Derby), JASON STEELE (MIDDLESBROUGH), Alex McCarthy (Reading); Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jones (Blackburn), Michael Mancienne (Chelsea), Micah Richards (Man City), Chris Smalling (Man United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham); Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa), Tom Cleverley (Man United), Jack Cork (Chelsea), JORDAN HENDERSON (SUNDERLAND), Henri Lansbury (Arsenal), Fabrice Muamba (Bolton), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Scott Sinclair (Swansea); Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Danny Welbeck (Man United), Connor Wickham (Ipswich).