Ben Godfrey has been omitted from the England Under-21 squad, as the defender will need a hernia operation during the international break.

Max Aarons and Todd Cantwell retain their places but Godfrey is not in the squad, for a friendly in Slovenia and a home qualifier against Austria.

MORE: Godfrey and Lewis available for City but Hanley ruled out of Villa clash

Cantwell is named despite missing a couple of days of training with a hamstring strain this week, however the attacking midfielder trained on Friday ahead of tomorrow's home clash with Aston Villa.

All three won their first caps at U21 level during the last international break, with Aarons starting both matches but with the second ending in injury disappointment.

The Pink Un: Norwich City academy product Todd Cantwell won his first England U21 cap during last month's qualifying win over Kosovo in Hull Picture: Martin Rickett/PA WireNorwich City academy product Todd Cantwell won his first England U21 cap during last month's qualifying win over Kosovo in Hull Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

The right-back played all of a 3-2 win in Turkey as Aidy Boothroyd's team got their Euro 2021 qualification campaign under way, with Godfrey on for the final 10 minutes to help defend the lead.

Godfrey was then named captain as he started alongside Aarons at the KCOM Stadium in Hull, helping to secure a 2-0 qualifying win over Kosovo and playing the full 90 minutes.

City team-mate Aarons was named man of the match but limped off with 10 minutes remaining with an ankle injury after a goal-saving block, which forced him to miss two games for the Canaries.

Cantwell came on in the 61st minute of that win to earn his first England recognition since senior level, and has started every Premier League game of the season for City so far.

The Pink Un: Norwich City duo Max Aarons, right, and Todd Cantwell in England U21 action against Kosovo Picture: Martin Rickett/PA WireNorwich City duo Max Aarons, right, and Todd Cantwell in England U21 action against Kosovo Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

The U21s travel to Slovenia for a friendly on Friday, October 11 and then return to qualification action against Austria in Milton Keynes on Tuesday, October 15 (7.45pm), at Stadium MK, the home of League One club MK Dons.

England top Group Three, level on points with Austria and Kosovo, who have played a game more, with the finals being played in Slovenia and Hungary in June 2021.

The youngsters join Teemu Pukki (Finland), Grant Hanley and Kenny McLean (Scotland), Michael McGovern and Jamal Lewis (Northern Ireland) and Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland U21s) in receiving call-ups ahead of the international break, which follows Saturday's battle with Villa.

- We spoke to Cantwell after his first England U21 appearance, you can watch that interview above

ENGLAND U21 SQUAD

GOALKEEPER: Brandon Austin (Tottenham Hotspur), Ellery Balcombe (Viborg FF, loan from Brentford), Aaron Ramsdale (AFC Bournemouth)

DEFENDERS: Max Aarons (Norwich City), Trevoh Chalobah (Huddersfield Town, loan from Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Chelsea), Reece James (Chelsea), James Justin (Leicester City), Lloyd Kelly (AFC Bournemouth), Jonathan Panzo (Cercle Bruges, loan from AS Monaco), Steven Sessegnon (Fulham)

MIDFIELDERS: Todd Cantwell (Norwich City), Tom Davies (Everton), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Morgan Gibbs-White (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Dwight McNeil (Burnley), Oliver Skipp (Tottenham Hotspur), Joe Willock (Arsenal)

FORWARDS: Rhian Brewster (Liverpool), Mason Greenwood (Manchester United), Callum Hudson Odoi (Chelsea), Reiss Nelson (Arsenal), Eddie Nketiah (Leeds United, loan from Arsenal)