England v Azerbaijan
UEFA European Under-21 Championship, Group 6 Qualifiers
7.45pm, 29 March 2005 
Middlesbrough FC

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Norwich City striker Dean Ashton is in a confident frame of mind as he prepares for this evening’s UEFA European U21 Championship qualifier against Azerbaijan.

Ashton smashed home England’s second against Germany at Hull on Friday night, but despite Peter Taylor’s team not holding on to the lead, the 21-year-old was delighted to see his third Under-21s strike hit the back of the net.

”It was one of my first games starting so I was really pleased to get a goal, although I missed a good chance in the first half.

”But it was disappointing it didn't become the winning goal,” he told TheFA.com.

”We felt that we played really well in the second-half and created enough chances to easily win the game, so to then concede the goal right at the end was really disappointing but we've got to forget about that, move on to the next game and get the three points.”

The former Crewe man made the step from Gresty Road into the Premiership with the Canaries for a club record fee during the January transfer window, and he believes that all his hard work this season is beginning to pay off.

With 19 goals in 26 starts for Dario Gradi’s team before his move, Ashton has followed that with two strikes in his eight appearances for Norwich and is settle well into Premiership life. With another one for England in the bag, it’s the type of form that can fire the national team to glory and help his club team to safety.

”I've always worked hard to better myself. I'm naturally right footed and I needed to work on my left," he explained, "now I'm reaping the rewards and it was great to see the goal going in.”

”I've had a really good season and, touch wood, that continues. I've worked really hard and managed to get the best out of myself both at Norwich and when I come away with the Under-21s.

”It's probably down to others to judge how I've done, but I'm pleased with how I've made the step up - and it is a big step - the difference in class is huge and until you play in the Premiership, you're not going to realise what it's like.”

Ashton continued: ”It's been a dream of mine to play in the Premiership. Everyone's been really nice to me and helped me settle in. Norfolk's a really nice place and I'm really glad I signed. I'm sure there are millions of people who would love to be in my position, and I'm not going to let that go by without enjoying myself and enjoying my football, whatever happens with Norwich.

”There's still a lot of points to play for, if we could just get a few good results and get some confidence I don't see why we couldn't take some points from the likes of Crystal Palace and Southampton when we go there. It could all change.

”We're not just going to give up because people have given us no chance, we don't feel like we're out of it. But it's going to be very hard work.”

Before he returns to a survival fight in Norfolk, Ashton’s focus is on the encounter with the Azeris in Middlesbrough and qualification to next year’s UEFA European U21 Championship. With the top two from the group going into a play-off, three points tonight will push England a step closer.

“Four points out of six isn't bad, but we feel we should have gotten the full three against Germany.”

”With the games we've got coming up, we can certainly take maximum points, even Germany away, we'll take confidence from the game on Friday and go over there and get a result, so we feel we can get one of those two places,” said Ashton.

”Against Azerbaijan we'd expect to take all three points, but we'll give them the respect they deserve.

“If we play like we did against Germany, especially in the second-half, we should definitely beat them on our own patch.

”When you've got to go to a place like that and play on a difficult pitch, to come away with a 0-0, although disappointing, it isn't the worst thing in the world.

He added: ”Now playing on a pitch like Middlesbrough's, we feel that we can get the ball down, pass and play to our strengths and create chances.”

The match is live on Sky Sports 2, but there are tickets still available. To book call the Middlesbrough hotline on 0870 421 1986.