The Football Association has defended its selection policy for England Under-21s after the team crashed out of the European Championships at the group stage.

Director of elite development Dan Ashworth insisted that less established players must be given a chance to aid their progression at international level.

"We made the decision and I back it," he told BBC Sport. "Youth teams are there to help develop players and give them experience to get into the seniors."

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling, Everton midfielder Ross Barkley, Arsenal duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere, and Manchester United defender Phil Jones were among those eligible for Gareth Southgate's squad but not selected.

"Those players are established internationals. It's like being a first-team player and asking them to come back and play in the Under-21s. It's not necessarily the right thing to do," Ashworth added.

"The players who hadn't competed in the two-year cycle and lead-up to the European Championship wouldn't be considered.

"The debate will be reopened now but we stand by the decision Gareth and I made. You never know when you drop players into a new group whether it'll be the right thing to do."

England, who had Premier League stars including Harry Kane and John Stones among their ranks, crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-1 to Italy Under-21s.