The FA International U17 Tournament gets underway tonight, when England face Portugal at Nene Park.

The FA International U17 Tournament
27-31 August 2008
Rushden & Diamonds FC, Peterborough United FC, Northampton Town FC and Cambridge City FC
Click here for tournament details

International football is heading to Anglia this week with Peterborough United, Rushden & Diamonds and Northampton Town all hosting England U17 fixtures starting on Wednesday evening when the Young Lions face Portugal at Nene Park.

The three games are part of a four team friendly tournament which will also feature Italy and Israel.

Following last month's Nordic Tournament, the Young Lions are now be continuing their preparations on home soil, ahead of October's qualifying round for the UEFA European U17 Championship.

Following Wednesday's game, Peterborough's London Road ground will see the Three Lions play Israel on 29 August.

The Tournament then concludes at Northampton Town's Sixfields stadium against Italy on 31 August.

Non-England matches will take place at Cambridge City as well as Northampton Town.

Managing England U17s will be John Peacock, who is looking forward to seeing his squad in match action after seeing some of the players in action in Sweden, where the Young Lions finished in fourth place.

"The Tournament is a nice start to the season and gives the players some match experience at a new age group," said Peacock.

"It will obviously be a learning curve for everyone involved but that's what these tournaments are all about."

England U17s begin their European Championship qualifying campaign in Spain this October and Peacock sees the August tournament as a decent dress rehersal: "Italy and Portugal have a history of producing good teams at youth level, so they'll be a great test.

"Israel will provide a different kind of opposition. They'll be strong and competitive so it will be a good mix of games."

Ticket information

England v Portugal
7pm, Wednesday 27 August, 2008
Nene Park, Rushden & Diamonds FC

England v Israel
7pm, Friday 29 August, 2008
London Road, Peterborough United FC

England v Italy
3pm, Sunday 31 August, 2008
Sixfields Stadium, Northampton Town FC

The Squad