Academy pair Andre Dozzell and Nick Hayes could make their England U17 debuts this evening as the Young Lions take on Italy in their first game at the St George’s Park Tournament at Telford United’s New Bucks Head Stadium (KO 7pm).
Midfielder Dozzell has previously won U16 caps but keeper Hayes has yet to feature at international level.
England, who will be based at the National Football Centre at St George’s Park near Burton throughout the competition, subsequently face Turkey at the Banks’s Stadium, Walsall on Friday and finally Portugal at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium on Sunday.
The games are preparation for the first qualifying round of the UEFA European Championships in October.
Speaking recently, Blues boss Mick McCarthy said first-year scholar Dozzell, 16, the son of former midfielder and current Academy coach Jason, is one of a number of young players who don’t look out of place when they train with the senior squad.
"He’s trained with the first team on a number of occasions and he’s a really very, very good player,” McCarthy said.
"I would have no doubt, certainly if we played a three, if we played 4-3-3, that he could cope with it.
"Whether physically playing 4-4-2 against two of the better ones, I don’t know. But he’s a very good player. He’s a bright young talent.”
Dozzell junior began his full-time scholarship this summer and has already featured for the Blues’ U21s.
Clacton-based Hayes, also 16 and one of two first-year scholar keepers along with Harry Wright, the son of former Blue Richard, was invited to an England goalkeepers’ training camp at St George’s Park at the end of last season with Academy manager Bryan Klug having high hopes for his future.
"We’ve also got another young lad who is training with the England squad, Nick Hayes, who is another fine goalkeeper,” Klug said at the time. "He’s joining as a scholar as well, so we’ll have really good competition amongst the goalkeepers.”
England U17s: Matthew Yates (Derby County), Nick Hayes (Ipswich Town), Jordan Williams (Huddersfield Town), Edward Francis (Manchester City), Sadou Diallo (Manchester City), Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea), Vashon Neufille (West Ham United), Jaden Brown (Tottenham Hotspur), Charlie Gilmour (Arsenal), Elliot Embleton (Sunderland) , Andre Dozzell (Ipswich Town), Adam Lewis (Liverpool) Diego Lattie (Manchester City), Keanan Bennetts (Tottenham Hotspur), Jonathan Leko (West Bromwich Albion), Niall Ennis (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Mackenzie Heaney (Newcastle United), Tyrese Campbell (Manchester City), Samuel Shashoua (Tottenham Hotspur).