CHARLIE CRESSWELL kept a clean sheet in England Under-21s' 2-0 friendly victory away to Italy.

The York-raised defender was one of only two visiting players, alongside goalkeeper Josef Bursik, to play all 90 minutes at Pescara's Stadio Adriatico as England denied Italy a breakthrough.

Former Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster, now at Sheffield United, scored twice inside the opening five minutes, the former from the penalty spot, to secure an away win for Lee Carsley's side.

Cresswell, the son of former York City striker Richard Cresswell, will be hoping to retain his place in the starting 11 for Tuesday night's clash with Germany at Bramall Lane (7.45pm).

The Leeds United centre-back, who is currently on a season-long loan at Millwall, earned his seventh England U21 cap in Italy and appears to have cemented his place in the heart of the youth team's defence ahead of next summer's European Championships.

The U21 Euros take place in Romania and Georgia from June next year, with England seeking a first win in the competition since 1984.