Academy scholar Chris Atherton started and picked up an assist as the Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Qatar at the Slovenian Nations Cup yesterday.

The midfielder, who joined the Blues from Chelsea in the summer, cut the ball back for Almeria’s Ramon Martos to find the net three minutes before the break.

Atherton, 17, was winning his fifth U19s cap having also assisted after coming on as a sub in the 5-0 thrashing of the Faroe Islands on Monday.

Blues keeper Alex Noonan is with the squad in Slovenia but hasn’t been involved in either match having played the full 90 minutes of a 1-0 friendly defeat to England at St George’s Park ahead of the tournament.

The Irish youngsters, who are coached by former Blues forward Noel Hunt, complete their games when they take on Azerbaijan on Sunday.

Meanwhile, academy striker Sid Eldred looks set to win a Northern Ireland U19s cap when they face Belgium in a friendly during a training camp in Spain today.

The Northern Irish youngsters, who are coached by ex-Town defender Gareth McAuley, also take on Wales on Monday.

Eldred, 18, has previously won two caps at U19s level having also played for the U16s and U17s.

Photo: TWTD