Noel Blake's team to take part in four-team tournament in France.

By Nicholas Veevers

With no European Championship Qualifying Round to take part in for England this October, U19s Head Coach Noel Blake is instead taking his team to participate in an international tournament in France.

As one of the seeded teams, the Young Lions were awarded a bye straight through to the Elite Qualifying Round by UEFA, which means they won't have any competitive action until then and with France, Ukraine and Portugal also in the same situation, all four teams will now play each other in Limoges.

With three games to play in the space of five days, the tournament replicates the format of the First Qualifying Round of the Euros, so is something that Blake feels can only benefit his players for the campaign ahead.

"We're taking the players to this competition because we don't have any Qualifiers until next year and this is the nearest thing to the sort of experience they would have had there," he said.

"Given the quality of the opposition we'll be facing there, it will be a big test for them with three games in the space of a few days and it's one that we're looking forward to."

England's season started last week with an encouraging performance and a draw against Holland, so this trip gives Blake and his staff the opportunity to work with the players again and over a longer period of time as they plan for later in the season.

"We played well against Holland and I was pleased with them," added Blake.

"There was a mixture of players involved who all contributed to that result and performance so this competition gives us a chance to work a little bit more with them.

"We just want to keep going and it will be a useful trip for all concerned."