Byram and Long bound for Turkey after surviving cull

The pair were named by U20’s head coach and former Hull City and Bradford City manager Peter Taylor in his tournament squad after being on the provisional list of 35 players.

The Middlesbrough trio of Connor Ripley, Adam Reach and Luke Williams are also in the squad along with ex-Barnsley defender John Stones, who moved to Everton in a £3m move at the end of January. Toffees midfielder John Lundstram, who spent the final few months of last season on loan at League One champions Doncaster Rovers, also makes the final squad, which includes his club team-mate Ross Barkley, who spent temporary stints at White Rose duo Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday in 2012-13.

Byram has enjoyed a stellar campaign at Elland Road with his progress drawing admiring glances from a number of Premier League clubs including Manchester City and Arsenal.

Despite still awaiting his first U20 cap, the 19-year-old’s swift rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed by Taylor.

Speaking earlier this month about the talented right-back, who is also able to operate in midfield, Taylor said: “Sam Byram, of Leeds; everyone thinks he is going to go to the Premier League. I spoke to Brian McDermott and he is desperate to keep him. He is really happy with him.”

Confident that Byram would always make the final squad, McDermott added: “There was no doubt in my mind that Sam would be called up.

“I do not pick the team, but I feel Sam has every chance of playing.”

The call-up will mean that Byram is likely to miss the start of the Whites’ pre-season programme at the end of June.

Long’s elevation comes on the back of an impressive campaign at Bramall Lane, capped when he was named as the Blades’ young player of the year.

The Sheffield-born custodian played 44 times for United and was named the Football League Young Player of the Month for February after keeping six consecutive clean sheets.

The 19-year-old was also named the League One Player of the Month for October.

The England team and coaching staff, which includes ex-Middlesbrough and Blades defender Ugo Ehiogu, will meet up at St George’s Park on Monday for a few days’ training.

After a short break, they will reconvene before flying out to Turkey on June 12 for training and acclimatisation. England will be based in Antalya for their first two group games against Iraq on June 23 and Chile three days later.

They then move to Bursa for their final group game with Egypt on June 29.