15.10.2002 - Under 21 round up: Kirkland injured

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Two current Liverpool players and two future arrivals were in under-21 action for their country in the latest round of qualification matches for the 2004 European Under-21 Championships.

Chris Kirkland returned to the England under-21 side to face Macedonia at Reading, after injury had cost him a place in the team for their match against Slovakia last Friday.

But Kirkland's part in the game lasted less than 24 minutes, as he appeared to pick up an injury when jumping to catch a ball which had been crossed into the area, and after being looked at by the physio, the Liverpool 'keeper was substituted. England ran out 3-1 winners in the game, with Franny Jeffers bagging a hat-trick.

There was better news for Alou Diarra though, and also the two French teenagers who will be at Anfield next summer, as France under-21's won 3-0 away to Malta.

Florent Sinama-Pongolle was again on the scoresheet for the match after netting the winner in his last two appearances for the under-21's. Pongolle scored the first of the evening, while Anthony Le Tallec scored his first goal at under-21 level, when he completed the scoring in second half injury time.

The senior players are in action tomorrow evening, continuing the qualification matches for Euro 2004.