John Peacock's side to host Elite Round with Slovenia, Portugal and Russia

England U17s will have to overcome opposition from Slovenia, Portugal and Russia in the Elite Qualifying Round in order to reach the 2013 Euro Finals in Slovakia.

However, John Peacock's side will have home advantage as England will be hostin the games, which must be played by the end of March.

The draw for the Elite Round was made at UEFA's HQ in Nyon on Wednesday morning by last season's German captain Pascal Itter and UEFA Youth chairman Jim Boyce, the duo pulling out seven groups of four.

Only the nation finishing top of each group will join the host nation in the Finals next May. If England make it to the Finals and finish in the top three in their group they will qualify for 2013 U17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates.

Peacock’s young side made it through to this final stage of Euro qualifying by beating Estonia, Wales and Northern Ireland in October.

England won the European U17 Championship in 2010 with a team containing Jack Butland, Andre Wisdom, Josh McEachran and Connor Wickham.

The draw for next season's First Qualifying Round was also made, with England facing Armenia (hosts), Gibraltar and Republic Of Ireland between 24 and 29 October 2013.

Draw in full

Group 1: Croatia, Belgium, Spain, France
Group 2: Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Georgia, Austria
Group 3: Hungary, Sweden, Finland, Belarus
Group 4: Germany, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Estonia
Group 5: Czech Republic, Switzerland, Israel, Poland
Group 6: England, Slovenia, Portugal, Russia
Group 7: Norway, Netherlands (holders), Italy, Northern Ireland