Academy Contingent Begin International Fixtures

Internationals
21 Sep 2022
2 Minutes
There was match action for several Leicester City Academy players as the first fixtures of the international break took place on Wednesday.

- Skipper Sammy Braybrooke and defender Ben Nelson both starters for England Under-19s against Montenegro Under-19s
- Kian Pennant named on the bench in the same game for the Young Lions in 2-0 qualifying win
- Chris Popov plays for Wales Under-19s in 0-0 draw with Hungary
- Will Alves came off the bench to make his debut for England Under-18s in their 1-0 win over Netherlands

Sammy Braybrooke, captaining the young Lions, and Ben Nelson - the latter currently experiencing a loan spell with Rochdale - were the two Foxes representatives to line-up for England Under-19s, as they earned a 2-0 home win over Montenegro Under-19s in their opening UEFA European U19 Championship qualifier.

Liverpool's Luke Chambers broke the deadlock just past the hour mark, before turning provider for Sonny Perkins of West Ham to score the second. Foxes forward Kian Pennant was an unused substitute in the match.

Joint top of the group with Denmark Under-19s, the Young Lions take on Georgia Under-19s on Saturday ahead of a meeting with the Danes next Tuesday (both 1pm kick-offs).

Also playing in the first of their three UEFA European U19 Championship qualifiers across the current break, Chris Popov was involved from the off for Wales Under-19s. 

Playing 88 minutes of the goalless draw with Hungary, the Development Squad striker was replaced by Cardiff City forward Morgan Wigley late in the contest.

The side next take on Ireland Under-19s away on Saturday (1pm kick-off), then have another qualifier against Gibraltar Under-19s on Tuesday (6pm kick-off).

Young attacker Will Alves, meanwhile, came off the bench to make his debut for England Under-18s as they earned a late victory over Netherlands in Pinatar, appearing as a 59th-minute substitute to add to his four caps for England Under-17s.

At the Pinatar Arena in Spain, the young Lions secured a win in stoppage time thanks to Chelsea's Leo Castledine. A second fixture for England Under-18s follows on Friday when they face Faroe Islands (1:30pm kick-off).

Finally, Academy youngster Zach Booth, selected by United States Under-19s for the first time for their Slovenia Nations Cup campaign, saw his nation win 5-0 against Malta Under-19s.

For a full list of internationals playing across the current break, click here.

Chris Popov photo credit: FA Wales.

All times BST.