French test for Under-21s

England Women's U21s v France
Women's U21 International Friendly
7.30pm, Wednesday 22 November 2006
St James' Park, Exeter City FC
Exeter City FC ticket hotline - 01392 411 243

Anita Asante insists England Under-21s can expect a tough assignment when they line up against France in Exeter tonight.

The midfielder said France consistently produce good players and have always provided stern opposition whenever she has lined up against Les Bleues.

"I think it's going to be a very competitive game," said the Arsenal player.

"I know that for those young England players in the squad, for instance Gemma Davison and Lianne Sanderson, it's going to be a good test for them to come up against such a strong team," she added.

The England regular, who came through the youth ranks before establishing herself in Hope Powell's squad, is still young enough to play for the Under-21s and credits much of her current success to the footballing education she received playing for the England youth teams.

"Within every single level of structure of the England set-up, it is really competitive," she explained. "So if the players breaking through are really talented, they could go all the way - and it is a really good way for everyone to see how England are progressing as a nation when they see the talent coming through.

"When you're playing at Under-17 level you might not necessarily get the chance to play the very top level of teams like USA and Germany at that age group, but if you rise through the ranks to the Under-21s you are going to get that chance - so it's a real incentive for every player to push as hard as they can."

England Women's Under-21 squad to face France: