England(U21) vs Sweden(U21) - England U21s spurred by criticism

Posted Sunday, June 21, 2015 by PA

Gareth Southgate and Nathan Redmond are confident Sweden will not be calling any of England's Under-21 players "overrated" after Sunday's crucial game.

The Young Lions' fifth straight appearance in the European Championship finals is likely to end in a third successive group-stage exit unless they beat the Scandinavians in Olomouc on Sunday.

Portugal's 1-0 triumph in their Group B opener means England are in a precarious position which led Sweden left-back Ludwig Augustinsson to label them "a little overrated".

The FC Copenhagen defender also said English players go for "sick amounts of money" - comments that have certainly not gone unnoticed within the Young Lions camp.

"I think it has been posted next to the meal room," Under-21s head coach Southgate said, smiling.

"Unfortunately it doesn't do my job for me (in terms of team talk), but it is always interesting when the opposition make comments about your players."

Redmond, sat alongside Southgate at the pre-match press conference at the Andruv Stadion, smiled when asked how the players had reacted to Augustinsson's comments.

"As the gaffer said, we came down for lunch this afternoon just before training and we saw it posted up outside the meal room," the Norwich winger said. "The lads were sort of having a look as we walked in.

"It was a good topic for discussion at the dinner table, to be honest. We are completely confident in what we can do, we know what they can do and, at the other end of the day, the game will decide it."

Redmond is again expected to be deployed in attack on Sunday, although Southgate admits he is planning to make some changes.

Danny Ings could start from the outset in the potentially decisive Group B encounter, which back-up goalkeeper Jonathan Bond will miss due to an ankle complaint.

John Stones is still absent after last week sustaining suspected concussion, but Southgate can call upon Benik Afobe following Saido Berahino's withdrawal with an ankle injury.

The former Arsenal striker netted 32 goals for MK Dons and Wolves last season, earning a place on the long list and a request to replace his friend in the Czech Republic.

"He has only had one session but he knows most of the boys from Under-17s and Under-19s," Southgate said.

"A lot of these boys have grown up together. He was in the squad that won the European Championships at Under-17 level, so in terms of England he has got a lot of experience.

"He has tremendous enthusiasm to be here. When I spoke to him about being on the long list, he was ready to cancel his holiday straight away.

"He was telling me how he was keeping his fitness going anyway, sent us messages to wish us good luck and it is ironic because I think at Under-17 level Saido came into the squad late through injury when they won the Europeans.

"He had been speaking to Benik throughout this week and the irony, of course, it is Saido who picks up the injury and Benik is the one who benefits from it.

"It is good to have him with us and good to have some more energy and enthusiasm coming into the group at this stage. He is very much looking forward to being involved."