Two Chelsea Academy products will be hoping to follow Michael Mancienne in impressing at Under 21 level when England take on Czech Republic Under 21s in a friendly at Bramall Lane, Sheffield tonight.

Jack Cork (pictured) and Ryan Bertrand are both in the squad and both hoping for their first minutes on the pitch at this level having previously been capped by England Under 19s.

Indeed Cork captained the Under 19s at last season's European Championships and was called into the Under 21 squad as a late replacement for the Euro Championship qualification play-off against Wales last month.

'It was great to get the call-up [to the Under 21s],' the 19-year-old has told theFA.com.

'After playing for the other England teams, it's the next step up in my career and I'm really looking forward to getting involved and being a part of it. I really enjoyed it last time and hopefully this time I can get a bit of time on the pitch.'

Cork and Bertrand are currently gaining first team experience in the Championship. Cork, who can play centre-back, right-back or in midfield has made 16 appearances for Southampton and left-back Bertrand has played 15 games for Norwich where he spent the second half of last season.

Chelsea's loan policy involves placing young players at clubs that match our playing philosophy.

'I'm fortunate that at Southampton we try to play football and I think that helps,' Cork explained.

'In a way, it's a similar way to how the game is played at international level and that may be why there are a few of us from Southampton who have been involved [for England].'

Meanwhile, Mancienne, now in the full England squad, has been speaking about his Chelsea ambition.

'I have played with John Terry before in training at Chelsea and our games compliment each other because I'm a different kind of defender,'the 20-year-old said..

'I model myself more on Ricardo Carvalho and Rio Ferdinand because of

the way I play. My tackles are all about timing and I like to get my foot on the ball. I used to play in midfield so when I went to the back I had a lot of confidence.

'John is captain of the full national side and is someone I look up to. He plays a big part in my belief that I can make it in the game because he made the breakthrough.

'He started out at Chelsea having to compete with Frank Leboeuf and Marcel Desailly who had won the World Cup with France and look where he is now.

'Long term I would like to go back to Chelsea because I have been with the club since I was eight,' he added.

'But being at Wolves is a great stepping stone. The fact they like to play good football and are top of the Championship has definitely helped me get selected for England.'

Kick-off at Bramall Lane for the England Under 21 game is 7.45pm.