International bright young things

West Ham United pair James Tomkins and Freddie Sears were both in action as England continued their UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw in Greece.

Tomkins started in Tripoli, while Sears, who scored in England's 2-1 victory in FYR Macedonia on Friday, again appeared as a second-half substitute.

England, who came from behind to win in Prilep on Friday, took the lead this time around, with Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge firing Stuart Pearce's side ahead after just five minutes.

Unfortunately for the visitors, they were unable to maintain their advantage, allowing Sotiris Ninis to level from long-range four minutes before half-time.

Pearce sent on Sears as a replacement for Manchester United's Danny Welbeck with 15 minutes remaining, but the on-loan Crystal Palace forward was unable to find a way past Greece goalkeeper Kostantinos Lamprou.

A third Academy graduate, winger Junior Stanislas, had to make do with a role as an unused substitute at the Asteras Tripolis stadium.

Having picked up four points from their opening two matches, England, who reached the final of the European Championship earlier this summer, will continue their campaign to reach the 2009 finals in Denmark when they play host  to FYR Macedonia on 9 October.

Elsewhere, Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson was on the winning side as Iceland's U21s romped to a 6-2 victory in Northern Ireland in their own European Championship qualifier in Belfast.

Academy midfielder Georg Grasser played 46 minutes as Austria's U20 side drew 1-1 in a friendly with Switzerland in Frauenfeld.