McCracken was appointed performance director in November

Beijing Olympians Bradley Saunders and Khalid Yafai have been named in the British Amateur Boxing Association's 21-man podium squad.

The squad, which also includes European Champion Luke Campbell, will be cut down to 10 over the next two-and-a-half years ahead of the 2012 Olympics.

Although the names are not set in stone the 21 boxers are in pole position to appear at the London games.

"We have a lot of talent," said Baba's performance director, Rob McCracken.

McCracken, who was appointed to his role in November, added: "At this stage I am keen to have a larger podium squad than has traditionally been the case as I want to maintain a competitive environment and do not want it to feel like an exclusive group.

I want the established team members to know they have to keep improving to maintain their places Rob McCracken

"I want the established team members to know they have to keep improving to maintain their places and the up-and-coming boxers to feel they have something to aim for and know they have the opportunity to be part of the 2012 team if they apply themselves, train hard and do well in competitions.

"The same applies to any other talented boxers out there. I am very happy with the squad we have but this is not a closed shop and if someone performs well in competition and shows they have the ability and dedication to make the grade they can force their way in."

The podium squad has been enlarged (from 16) to include five boxers that will join the group on a three-month trial.

Baba has also named an 11-man development squad to increase competition and any of these boxers could still force their way into the eventual Olympic squad.

The podium squad includes highly-rated trio Saunders, Campbell and Yafai. But Tommy Stubbs, who won gold for England at the European Union amateur boxing championships, is named in the development group.

Andrew Selby, Thomas Stalker, Scott Cardle and Steve Simmons, who were all part of Great Britain's World Championship squad, are also all named in the podium squad.

Podium squad:

Khalid Yafai, Flyweight (51 Kg), Birmingham, England
Daniel Chapman Flyweight (51 Kg), Blaengwyfi, Wales
Andrew Selby, Bantamweight (54Kg) Barry, Wales
Gamal Yafai* Bantamweight (54Kg), Birmingham, England
Leigh Woods, Bantamweight (54Kg), Nottingham, England
Luke Campbell, Featherweight (57Kg), Hull, England
Martin Ward, Featherweight (57 Kg), Romford, England
Iain Weaver, Featherweight (57Kg), Ferndown, England
Daniel Philips, Lightweight (60Kg), Middlesbrough, England
Thomas Stalker, Lightweight (60Kg), Liverpool, England
Bradley Saunders, Light-welterweight (64Kg), Stockton-on Tees, England
Scott Cardle, Light-welterweight (64Kg), Lytham, England
Lewis Rees, Light-welterweight (64Kg), Rhondda, Wales
Callum Smith*, Welterweight (69Kg), Liverpool, England
Frank Buglioni*, Middleweight (75Kg), London, England
Antony Ogogo*, Middleweight (75Kg), Lowestoft, England
Obed Mbwakango, Light-heavyweight (81 Kg), London, England
Warren Baister, Heavyweight (91Kg), Sunderland, England
Stephen Simmons, Heavyweight (91Kg), Edinburgh, Scotland
Simon Vallily, Heavyweight (91Kg), Middlesbrough, England
Fraser Clarke, Super-heavyweight (91Kg+) Burton, England
* 3 month trial

The Development Squad:

Charlie Edwards, Light-flyweight (48Kg), Croydon, England
Thomas Stubbs, Flyweight (51 Kg), Oldham, England
James Dickens, Flyweight (51 Kg), Liverpool, England
Zack Davies, Flyweight (51 Kg), Llanelli, Wales
John Quigley, Featherweight (57Kg), Liverpool, England
Antonio Coulihan, Lightweight (60Kg), Birmingham, England
Fred Evans, (Light) Welterweight (64-69Kg) Cardiff, Wales
Ryan Aston, Welterweight/Middleweight (69-75Kg), Dudley, England
Declan Fusco, Light-heavyweight (81 Kg), Durham, England
Karl Kirkham, Light-heavyweight (81 Kg), Blackpool, England
Amin Isa, Super-heavyweight (91Kg+)London, England.

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