European Under 21 International
A sell-out crowd at the Stadium of Light will get the chance to see if the young hopefuls of the Under 21 side have got what it takes when they go into Tuesday's game against Slovakia and what is basically a 'must win' situation.
David Platt's side lie third in the Group Seven table, five points behind second placed Portugal, but with a game in hand. If England do NOT beat Slovakia then the deficit will be too much to make up. Although the Under 21s have already beaten the Slovaks, 4-0 away, they are not taking the opposition lightly.
Shola Ameobi, who scored the opening goal in the 4-0 win eight months ago, which is Platt's best result as the Under 21 coach, says: "We're not being complacent. We do realise we beat them 4-0 away but we're not going into the game thinking it will be an easy ride. We are going out there to be professional and do our best and hopefully our quality will show through and well get the win."
Ameobi, who is one of the brightest talents in the Under 21s also, sees his involvement with England at this level as a chance to make people sit up and notice him. He said: "Every time I join up with the squad I see it as another opportunity to make sure everyone knows who I am."
Coach Platt, meanwhile, knows his team need to beat Slovakia to keep alive their slim hopes of reaching the finals of the Under 21 Championships and he has set out his stall accordingly.
He wants his players to take the game to the opposition, saying: "What I would like to see is us full of energy and to really set about the game and go for it because a high tempo match will suit us more than it will suit them, so that's what we'll be gearing towards.
"It's one of those games where we're concentrating on what we are about rather than worrying too much about the opposition. So we will have to go in and force the game. The message to the players will be 'let's play with energy' and an abundance of it."
Asked if he would like a repeat of the 4-0 away win and the England Coach replied: "That would be nice because I thought we were excellent then."
Platt doesn't have too many fitness problems ahead of tomorrow's game. Newcastle midfielder Darren Ambrose, who has been struggling with illness recently, is expected to be available for selection although Nottingham Forest's highly rated centre half Michael Dawson has had to withdraw because he has been ill with a virus.
There was also cause for concern over goalkeeper Rhys Evans, who was forced to leave the field in last week's friendly with Serbia-Montenegro with a back spasm, but he has returned to training and should play.
