England U21s back in training after their arrival in Brighton

Friday 13 Nov 2015
Calum Chambers pushes weights at training on Friday

England Under-21s were back at work on Friday morning as they begin preparations for next week's Euro Qualifier with Switzerland in Brighton.

Gareth Southgate's team were held to a 0-0 draw by Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday afternoon, before returning from Sarajevo to their next base in East Sussex.

England v Switzerland

UEFA European U21 Championship
Group 9 Qualifier
5.45pm, Monday 16 November 2015
Amex Stadium, Brighton
Live on BT Sport
Tickets: 0844 327 1901

And the Three Lions made their first visit to Brighton & Hove Albion's American Express Elite Football Performance Centre, where they will also be based for the next two days in the build-up to the game at the Amex Stadium.

For the players who started the game in Bosnia, it was a case of recovery which included gym work and a pool session whilst the players who were substitutes in Sarajevo were out on the training pitch with Southgate and assistant coach Steve Holland.

It was a case of familiar territory for three members of the group too, with Brighton's Jake Forster-Caskey, Solly March and Christian Walton all taking part in the outdoor session as they look to push for inclusion in Monday's team.


"Jake has been with us for a couple of years now and has enormous experience through all of the age groups," said Southgate.

"He’s been a reliable player and has been very proud to be involved with us.

"Solly came with us to Toulon two summers ago and gave a good account of himself but then missed most of last season due to injury but we’ve always monitored his progress.

"He’s a good technical player and is still filling out physically, so there’s more to come in that area, but it’s great to see him getting a run in the team with Brighton and in games that matter.

England Under-21s

Solly March trained in the familiar surroundings of Brighton's training ground on Friday

"Christian has had a little spell out injured, but it’s been good to get to work with him and find out a bit more about him.

"He has less experience with us, but it’s good for him to come and train with us, train with good players and hopefully learn something different because the international requirements are just different."

The full squad will be back out together on the pitch on Saturday, as Southgate and his staff plot their game plan for the Swiss who are currently sharing the leadership of Qualifying Group 9 with England.

Tickets for the game cost just £10 and £5 and are available via the Brighton ticket office or by calling 0844 327 1901.

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels in Brighton