Source: FOOTYMAD
Blake open-minded on England recruits
Noel Blake, the England U19 coach, said there is plenty of time for young players to force their way into his plans, as a new group of players make their first outing against Slovakia on Thursday night. Blake's last batch of U19 players reached the semi-final of the European Championship this summer. It is a lot to live upto, but Blake is looking forward to starting again - and nine of his squad won the European U17 championship earlier this year. "There is some real competition for places in the squad this season, players from last season's very successful U17s group will be pressing hard for places and equally there are late developers within the 1992 group who have shown some real promise and need to be looked at." he said. "The door is always open for players who qualify to play for England, no matter which club they play for. If they are good enough then we are interested. We never stop looking at players." Thursday's match at Gresty Road, Crewe, is a friendly and will act as preparation for the European Championship qualifying games.
