Town have requested that striker Dean Bowditch play a maximum of 45 minutes for the England U19s against France at Barnsley on Thursday night. Bowditch could well feature for the Blues on Sunday as a replacement for Tommy Miller, a doubt with an elbow injury.

Boss Joe Royle, who is at the funeral of close friend Emlyn Hughes today, says the FA have been cooperative: "I spoke to both Trevor Brooking and the coach, Martin Hunter, and they were very sympathetic.

"They realise Dean is playing first team football. I'm told this will be the last time England play a Thursday game and this will please a lot of managers whose players are in the squad."

Bowditch previously played 45 minutes in the U19 friendly victory over Ireland in Cork and the full 90 in the recent draw at Carrow Road against the Czech Republic.

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