RYAN Bertrand has expressed his delight at receiving his call-up to the England U-21 squad which will meet Portugal in the European Championship qualifer.

Stuart Pearce has named the 19-year-old in a 25-strong party, including former Norwich youngster Joe Lewis, which will travel to Wembley.

The match is due to be held on Friday, September 5 (7.45pm), and Bertrand said he was over the moon at being included in the team: "It means everything to me, all my hard work has paid off. I'm really looking forward to it and hopefully I can impress and stay in the group.

"Unless you're playing at a decent level like the Championship or league football at least, then I don't think you would be in the spotlight. I was in the U19s but I think this time will be extra special - the U-21s is a really, really big step, it's just one away from the first team. I'll be really proud to play for them, and I'm going to train really hard and push for a start."

Ryan played alongside fellow Norwich defender Elliot Omozusi in the U19 team, and Bertrand said it had come as a surprise that his young team-mate had not also received a call-up. He said: "I was surprised that the call-up wasn't for the both of us, it's quite disapointing that it was only one of us really.

"If Elliot keeps playing the way he does then he's sure to get a call-up, he's more than capable at that level. It will be a good experience to go to the new Wembley, hopefully playing but if not then on the bench."

As Bertrand and his fellow Canaries get set to play Birmingham, the youngster said he had high hopes for the day's outcome: "It'll be a good game, we always seem to do well against the bigger teams.

"Hopefully we can go out and get the win that we need so badly. I'm not sure what it is that makes Norwich do so well against big teams but whatever it is we need to take that and put it into all of our games. We just want to go out there and get a win and hopefully that will build our confidence for the rest of the season.

"They won't walk away saying we're an easy team because we usually put in a good performance but beating a team of that standard would definitely send out a good message. Hopefully we can get through without conceding a penalty, but I hope we can also go throughout a game without giving away a goal! If we can limit a few of their big players then we should have an even better chance."