The Young Lions head to Portugal for the Algarve Tournament in early February

The Young Lions head to Portugal for the Algarve Tournament in early February

England U17s will take the next step in their preparations for this summer’s Euro Finals at the Algarve Tournament.

The Young Lions face opposition from host nation Portugal, Germany and Netherlands at the annual competition which takes place in and around Faro later this month.

The Algarve Tournament 2018 Portugal v England, 3pm, 09/02/18

Germany v England, 2pm, 11/02/18

Netherlands v England, 2pm, 13/02/18

Steve Cooper and his 21-man squad will head out to Portugal next week to continue their training programme, building up to the Euros which are being held on home soil in May.

As hosts, England automatically qualify for the Finals and with no qualifying rounds to play as a result, this competition is an added bonus for Cooper’s group.

They kick-off against Portugal on Friday 9 February at the Sport Park Nora in Ferreiras, before facing Germany two days later at the Algarve Stadium in Almancil.

The competition is rounded-off on Tuesday 13 February, when England face the Dutch at the Algarve Stadium.

Cooper's side have already tested themselves against both Portugal and Germany this season, when they met in a mini-tournament last November. Goals from Jack Nolan and Bobby Duncan secured a 2-1 win over Germany in Rotherham, while Tommy Doyle, an OG and a late winner from Duncan were enough to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory over Portugal at Chesterfield.

England will be back on home soil in May at the Euros, so why not come along and cheer on the Young Lions? With the best young talent in Europe strutting their stuff and games taking place across the Midlands and Yorkshire, it’s a great chance to see some stars of the future.

The UEFA European Under-17 Championship takes place between 4-20 May 2018. Find out more and how to buy tickets and get further information.

The squad

Goalkeepers

Luca Ashby-Hammond - Fulham

Marcus Dewhurst - Sheffield United

Arthur Okonkwo - Arsenal

Defenders

Ajibola Alese - West Ham United

Luis Binks - Tottenham Hotspur

Dylan Crowe - Ipswich Town

Vontae Daley-Campbell - Arsenal

Bukayo Saka - Arsenal

Louie Sibley - Derby County**

Midfielders

Faustino Anjorin - Chelsea

Trae Coyle - Arsenal

Matt Daly - Huddersfield Town

Thomas Doyle - Manchester City

Jimmy Garner - Manchester United

Mason Greenwood - Manchester United

Clinton Mola - Chelsea

Forwards

Xavier Amaechi - Arsenal

Arvin Appiah - Nottingham Forest*

Bobby Duncan - Unattached

Tyreece John-Jules - Arsenal

Jack Nolan - Reading

Rayhaan Tulloch - West Bromwich Albion

* Replaces Curtis Jones - Liverpool

** Replaces Ethan Laird - Manchester United