Stuart Pearce has named five uncapped players in his England Under-21 squad to take on Northern Ireland next week.

Bolton's on-loan Arsenal striker Benik Afobe is among the new faces as Pearce begins his preparations for next year's European Championship finals.

Derby midfielder Will Hughes and Leicester defender Liam Moore are joined in a 21-man squad by Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and Chelsea defender Nat Chalobah - currently on loan at Watford.

"This will be an opportunity for a number of younger players to impress and put themselves in contention for a place next summer," said Pearce, who has recalled Southampton full-back Nathaniel Clyne and Newcastle winger Sammy Ameobi for the Bloomfield Road friendly.

"There are young players within this group who will be able to go again with the U21s for the 2015 campaign, so every chance to play for England will give them experience they will no doubt call upon in the future."

Victory over the Irish would be a sixth straight success - a run of wins last achieved in 1991.

Pearce said: "Hopefully a solid performance will also provide the team with a springboard as we build for Israel."

England U21 squad: Amos, Johnstone, Steele, Chalobah, Clyne, Lees, Moore, Robinson, Smith, Wisdom, Henderson, Hughes, Lowe, McEachran, Powell, Townsend, Afobe, Ameobi, Ince, Wickham, Zaha.