Brian Eastick has urged his players to remain fit and professional ahead of July's Championships.

UEFA European U19 Championships
Prague & Liberec, Czech Republic
14-26 July 2008
Click here for fixtures and results

Whilst the close season is now fully underway for most footballers, those aiming for a trip to the European U19 Championships with England in July have been urged to keep themselves fit and ready.

The Young Lions head to the Czech Republic for the competition, which starts on 14 July, where they will come up against Italy, Greece and the Czech Republic in the first round group stage.

Having only just sealed their place in the finals after success in the Elite Qualifying stages last week, the players now have over a month before they reconvene and Head Coach Brian Eastick is hoping that those hoping to be involved can keep themselves fit and sharp.

Most clubs only return for pre-season training in early July and Eastick believes that his players will need to do more than most other players to ensure they are ready for the rigours of a tournament so soon in the season.

“The timing of the tournament does worry me,” admitted Eastick.

“It starts on 14 July and most of the players will only have been back in pre-season training with their clubs for a few days by then.

“So the players need to be professional and conscientious of that and make sure that they are in a good condition for the tournament.”

With three games in the first stage of the competition and possibly a further two with the semi-final and final, all within the space of a fortnight, Eastick knows that if his squad are lacking in fitness then they will find it tough particularly in the early stages when the games come thick and fast.

“If we aren’t in the right physical condition, then it will be even harder work for us in the competition,” added Eastick.

“We will be contacting the players and asking them to try and get some work done before then, to make sure they are in the right condition for the Finals.”