Midfielders Ben Bowditch (Spurs) and Darren Carter (Birmingham City) in particular have both been regulars at this level for some time now and their influence will be a key factor if England are to progress against some very high quality opposition. England have been drawn against Portugal, Argentina, Turkey and Japan in the first round of matches and no-one, least of all Reed underestimates the tests that lie ahead.

"We've got some tough games and it's going to be a real test," he says. "But that's exactly what we want. I believe that quite a few of these players have got a future in the game and it's experiences like this that they need to help them develop to the next level."

Reed could be forgiven for thinking about what might have been if you consider the names that he could have called on had international progress or injuries not dictated otherwise. Wayne Rooney, Jermaine Jenas, Carlton Cole and Jermaine Pennant are all eligible to play in this tournament age-wise, while injury deprives Les of Ryan Garry (Arsenal), Dean Ashton (Crewe) and Lionel Morgan (Wimbledon).

"It's true that we are missing some players but we do have a very well-balanced squad positionally," reflects Reed. "We've also got players with a fair few international caps under their belts who know the system. We'll be well organised and play to our strengths.

"We are without people like Michael Chopra, Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole so there will be an increased responsibility for goals on the shoulders of Richard Offiong (Newcastle) and Jerome Thomas (Arsenal). But it's a good opportunity for the both and we might well stick with Jerome as a striker after his splendid performance there against Italy last month."

As well as the Toulon tournament, Les is also busy preparing his Under-20 players for the World Youth Championships that take place later in this year.

"I want to take quality players to that tournament," says Les. "I realise that players like Glen Johnson who have already stepped up to the Under-21s and have cemented first team spots at club level may not be available so I'm looking the other way, to the youth teams, with a view to fast-tracking some of the youngsters that we have coming through.


"It would be fantastic for players like Lee Croft (Manchester City), Luke Moore (Aston Villa), Dean Bowditch (Ipswich Town) and Steven Taylor (Newcastle) to have the experience of playing in the World Youth Championships."

Before that, though it's destination Toulon.

From Daniel Freedman



Here's the squad:

1. BEN BOWDITCH - TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
2. ROBERT BURCH - TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
3. CHRIS CARRUTHERS - NORTHAMPTON TOWN
4. DARREN CARTER - BIRMINGHAM CITY
5. SEAN DOHERTY - FULHAM
6. CRAIG DOVE - MIDDLESBROUGH
7. LYNDON DUNCAN - QUEENS PARK RANGERS
8. DAVID FOX - MANCHESTER UNITED
9. BRIAN HOWARD
10. LEON HYLTON - ASTON VILLA
11. SIMON JOHNSON - LEEDS UNITED
12. ANDREW LONERGAN - PRESTON NORTH END
13. ANTHONY MCNAMEE - WATFORD
14. KALAM MOONIARUCK
15. RICHARD OFFIONG - NEWCASTLE UNITED
16. SEAN O’HANLON - EVERTON
17. JON OTSEMOBOR - LIVERPOOL
18. DORIAN SMALL - ARSENAL
19. JOHN SPICER - ARSENAL
20. JEROME THOMAS - ARSENAL