England v Norway
Under-18 International Friendly
Vale Park, Port Vale FC
10 June 2005, 7pm

England U18s midfielder Nathan Doyle is another player to have rolled off the successful Derby County Academy production line.

The Derby-born midfielder has been a regular for England youth sides over recent years and was part of the England U17s squads that were edged out of the European Championship Finals in the semi-finals in 2003 and 2004.

Prior to this evening's game, the 18-year-old has picked up an impressive 36 England youth caps but the excitement of playing for his country has still to lose its effect on the experienced campaigner.

"I'm looking forward to the match," Nathan told TheFA.com. "It's always great getting called-up to the England squad and I still feel very proud when playing for England. I just hope we can do well in the match."

Nathan has played for the U16s, U17s and U18s and he knows how important this match is in relation to the overall development of players, especially with the important U19 age grouping approaching next season.

"It is important not only because we all want to do well against Norway but also because the coaches are already looking at who might be involved with the Under-19s next season.

"Plus there is always the chance that you can step up a level - just look at Kieran Richardson going out to America with the Seniors."

The U18s have been together for a week prior to the Norway match this evening and for Doyle, the chance to go away with England offers something a little different from the club scene.

"When you play with England you train with really good players and then in the matches you play against different types of players," he explained.

"At your club you play with Academy players and most of them are English so you know what type of game they have. But when you go away with England you get to play against different styles of players.

"Teams like Denmark and Brazil are different technically and physically to what you normally play so it is good for your development."

Nathan will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of two other Derby-produced players, U19 international Lee Holmes and Tom Huddlestone, who broke through into the U21s this season.

Though he knows that plenty of challenges lie ahead, Doyle already has some proud moments from his four years of playing for England.

"I made my England debut for the U16s against Northern Ireland [in October 2001] but probably my best moment in an England shirt was qualifying for the [U17] European Championship last year. That was great.

"Against Norway I just hope I can do well for the team and, most importantly, get to know the players and try to come away with a win."

Nathan Doyle - England Factfile

England U16s: 14 caps, 3 goals
England U17s: 21 caps, 1 goals
England U18s: 1 cap, 0 goals
England Youth Total: 36 caps, 4 goals