TOWN midfielder Lee Fowler was in the Wales Under 21 starting line-up against Latvia today.

The 21-year-old travelled with the squad on Saturday and missed Town's 2-0 home defeat to Hartlepool on Monday night.

After playing in today's noon kick-off - the match precedes the main international between the countries - Fowler will return to be part of Town's squad for the trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Fowler's best mate Jon Stead helped England Under 21s to score a 3-1 win last night over Ukraine at the Riverside Stadium.

The former Town frontman who is now No9 with Blackburn Rovers partnered Carlton Cole up front, but it was winger Jermaine Pennant who caught the eye, staking his claim for a place in Arsenal's starting line-up with a high-octane display.

The 20-year-old midfielder, winning his 20th cap at Under-21 level, tore Ukraine apart to send another message to Arsene Wenger.

Pennant laid on the first of Cole's two goals and provided him with another gilt-edged chance.

Under-21 coach Peter Taylor was delighted with his contribution, and is relishing the prospect of working with him as he prepares his side for the European Championship qualifying campaign, which gets underway in Austria next month and which includes games v Wales.

"I thought he was outstanding," said Taylor. "I thought his workrate was first-class, he was very difficult to mark and he used tremendous pace."

Pennant's searing runs down the right flank were a feature of England's victory, which was sealed by Cole's 13th and 42nd-minute strikes and substitute Darren Bent's injury-time third after Alexander Aliev had briefly raised hopes of a Ukraine fightback.