Bradford City's rising stars Isaiah Rankin and Andy O'Brien will receive top recognition when the Football League's Under 21 squad to face their Italian counterparts is named tomorrow.

The Bantams duo are among 16 players selected by England Under 21 manager Peter Taylor.

Taylor's side will travel to Italy to play the Serie B Under 21 side on Wednesday, November 25 in a fixture which is regarded as a stepping stone to international honours.

O'Brien, 19, played in the goalless draw between the two sides at Charlton last season but 20-year-old Rankin's call-up is his first senior honour.

The news is a further indication of City's rising profile in the game coming in the same week that midfielder Gareth Whalley was called up to the full Republic of Ireland squad.

Speaking after helping City to a 3-0 victory over Swindon which pushed the Bantams into fifth place in the First Division, Rankin said: "I knew Dave Sexton from the Under-21 set-up had come to watch me against Crystal Palace but the game was abandoned after 45 minutes.

"They must have seen something they liked and Andy and I are delighted. I came here to get recognised and do my best for Bradford and viewed anything else that happened as a bonus.

"But I will take it in my stride. From being a kid, you always want to play for your country or play in a big cup final. Who knows if this is a step towards this but it can't hurt my chances.

"It is good for the club because Bradford are now getting some recognition."

Taylor said: "These inter-league fixtures at Under-21 level have now become an integral part of the development programme for young footballers in this country and provide Nationwide Football League starlets with invaluable experience on an international platform.

"Players like Andy Roberts, Ben Thatcher, Richard Rufus, Andy Booth and Danny Mills have all graduated this way."

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