Young Lions' Reebok preparation

  • Tuesday, 29 May, 2012
  • England U19s training at the Reebok Stadium.
  • England U19s prepare to train at the Reebok Stadium.
  • Goalkeeping Coach Simon Smith takes Sam Johnstone and Connor Ripley through training at the Reebok Stadium.
  • England U19s' Eric Dier in training at the Reebok Stadium.
  • England U19s training at the Reebok Stadium.

England U19s warm-up for Switzerland game with training at home of Bolton Wanderers.

By Nicholas Veevers in Bolton

England U19s got their preparations for Wednesday's crucial Euro qualifier against Switzerland into full swing on Tuesday morning with a training session at the Reebok Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers FC.

Noel Blake's squad know that a victory against the Swiss at Deepdale in imperative if they are going to progress through to the European Championship Finals in Estonia in July and with the team staying in Bolton, the stadium session provided a new environment for the players to train in after previously working at Bolton Wanderers' Academy ground a short distance away.

"We thought as we were staying here, it was worth asking if we could use the pitch at the Reebok Stadium," said Blake.

"There have been commercial matches on the pitch whilst we've been here, but it was free on Tuesday morning so we decided to make use of it."

The Young Lions go into the final round of matches on Wednesday in Preston aware that a win against the Swiss would mean that group rivals Montenegro would need to beat Slovenia in their game and also outscore England by three goals.

Switzerland themselves still have a chance of qualifying, if they can beat England and twice-beaten Slovenia can take three points against the Montenegrins in the other game, which takes place simultaneously at Spotland in Rochdale.

England will have to make changes to their team though, as both Jack Robinson and Nathaniel Chalobah are suspended after collecting two cautions in the first two matches.

The game kicks-off at 7.30pm at Preston North End's Deepdale home and tickets cost £3 for adults and £1 for concessions, available on the night.

FATV are also streaming the game live and free, from around 7.15pm, so if you can't be there, make sure you tune in.




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