Albion hotshot Bobby Zamora has been named in David Platt's squad for the European Under 21 championships.

Zamora joins a host of young Premiership stars in David Platt's party for next week's tournament in Switzerland.

He will be vying for a forward place with the likes of Leeds' Alan Smith and Jermaine Defoe of West Ham, who played for the same Sunday junior side in East London.

Specualtion mounted last week that the Seagulls' goal machine would make the cut after he was pulled out of the squad for the under 20's tournament currently taking place in Toulon, France.

He made his debut for Platt's team as a substitute against Portugal at Stoke last month.

Former Albion boss Peter Taylor, who led the England under 21s during Glenn Hoddle's reign as national coach, said Zamora deserved his call up and showed on his debut he would not be fazed by the step-up to international level.

"He made good runs, worked very hard, played it sensibly and looked as if he could score," Taylor said.

England's opening group game is against Switzerland in Zurich on May 17. They face Italy in Basle on May 20 and Portugal in Zurich on May 22.

The other group in the eight-nation tournament consists of Greece, Belgium, France and the Czech Republic. The semi-finals are staged on May 25, with the final three days later.

Zamora has already been signed up by England for their World Cup campaign. He has added his signature to the back of a giant St George's cross flag, which will be displayed by fans in Japan and Korea.