wolves to host england u21's game
Molineux is to host the England under 21 friendly against Poland on Tuesday March 25 (KO 7pm).
The match will be the third under 21 international to be staged at Wolves.
Stuart Pearce's team are currently riding high at the top of their qualifying group for the 2009 European Championships after recording six wins and one draw from their last seven games.
With competition for places tight, Wanderers' own Michael Kightly will be hoping he can recover from his ankle injury in time to stake a claim for a recall on home soil.
Recent England under 21 games have been played in front of sell out crowds at Milton Keynes and Southampton. With tickets priced at £10 adults and £5 concessions (group bookings over 15 half price), Pearce is hoping for a repeat at Molineux.
He says: "It's a stadium with a passionate crowd and one I always enjoy visiting.
"We believe the result against Ireland in midweek (England won 3-0) will mean we have enough points to qualify for the play-offs but we won't be taking our foot off the pedal.
"We have up to 30 players all pushing for a place in this team.
"And with players like Gabby Agbonlahor being called up to the senior squad, the players know that they can make that step up if they do well for the U21s."
England's young guns last played at Wolves, again against Poland, in October 1996 when the game was delayed by a bomb scare. The match finally kicked off after 10pm and ended goalless.
Prior to that Molineux hosted the first ever England under 21 fixture in December 1976 against Wales.
More recently, in March 2005, the club successfully staged an under 17s game against Northern Ireland. Wolves' Mark Davies captained the Young Lions and scored in the 3-0 win.
Chief executive Jez Moxey says: "We are delighted the Football Association have chosen Molineux to host this game. We have been asking them to consider us for some time.
"It gives the club chance to show off our facilities to a wider audience and I'm sure our supporters will enjoy coming to watch some of the best young players in the country.
"Over 8,000 watched the under 17s at Molineux and we are confident we will get a bumper crowd for this match."
England have one last qualifying game to play against Portugal in September before the play-off games the following month. The finals will be held in Sweden in summer 2009.
Tickets go on sale from the Wolves box office next Thursday February 14.
Call the Ticketline on: 0871 880 8433.
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