Town's U18s are in Holland this weekend attempting to win the Doetinchem tournament for the third year in succession. The Blues take on Slavia Prague, Kaiserslautern and FC Twente in the group stages of the prestigious competition now in its 40th year.

The youngsters open their campaign tomorrow when they face the Czechs and the Germans before playing the Dutch side on Sunday, prior to the place play-off matches.

The provisional squad submitted to the organisers includes Kurt Robinson, who was in the England U17 squad for the Nordic tournament in Iceland last month, and last season's FA Youth Cup-winning goalscorer Edward Upson.

Also in the party is Jordan Rhodes, son of goalkeeper coach Andy Rhodes, who joined the Blues youth set-up from Barnsley at the end of last season.

Centre-half Chris Casement is also named, although the 17-year-old may be withdrawn in case he is required by the first team.

The club management is loath to throw Casement into the first team too early in case his confidence is dented by the experience. The Northern Irishman has started only one league reserve game.

Provisional Town U18 squad: Stuart Ainsley, Chris Casement, Liam Trotter, Danny Haynes, Allan Storie, Liam Barrett, Tony Boto, Oliver Fenn, Keiran Leabon, Luke Webster, Ian Nimmo, Andrew Plummer, Kurt Robinson, Edward Upson, Jonathan Houghton, Jai Reason, Curtley Williams, Jordan Rhodes.

Photo: Action Images

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