UEFA European Championships - 2nd Qualifying Round, Group 2

Date

Opponents

Venue

Comp

KO

24 Mar 04

Armenia

Hillsborough

ECQ

7.00pm

26 Mar 04

Iceland

Belle Vue

ECQ

7.00pm

28 Mar 04

Norway

Bramall Lane

ECQ

3.00pm



It's important that Peacock's team qualify for the finals in May but, backed by what we hope will be good support in Sheffield and Doncaster, and on the back of an unbeaten run in the recent Algarve tournament, there is no reason why England's youngsters shouldn't go into the series of match full of confidence.

"Young players at Under-16 or Under-17 level know that with the set-up we have, if they work hard and keep progressing, they will get their chance at a higher age group," says Peacock, with players like Newcastle's Steven Taylor, who has progressed from the Under-17s to the Under-21s within the space of a year, in mind.

"Armenia, Iceland and Norway all qualified from some tough first round groups and will provide us with some strong opposition," admits the former Derby County Academy Director.

"We will naturally treat each team with the respect they deserve, but gaining qualification for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship would provide an excellent platform for our talented youngsters to pit their wits against international opposition.

"Our performances against France, Portugal and Finland in the Algarve proved that the players on their day can live with some excellent opponents. This tournament should provide some fascinating encounters for the supporters, as well as a chance to see some of the potential England stars of the future."

Here is the party that will represent England:

Joe Lewis - Norwich City FC
Ben Alnwick - Sunderland FC
Kerrea Gilbert - Arsenal FC
Michael Mancienne - Chelsea FC
Richard Stearman - Leicester City FC
David Wheater - Middlesbrough FC
Nathan Ashton - Charlton Athletic FC
Christopher Cohen - West Ham United FC
Mark Noble - West Ham United FC
Nathan Doyle - Derby County FC
Gary Roberts - Crewe Alexandra FC
Mark Davies - Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
Shane Paul - Aston Villa FC
Chris James - Fulham
James Simmonds - Chelsea FC
Kyel Reid - West Ham United FC
Fraizer Campbell - Manchester United FC
James Walker - Charlton Athletic FC