If you've never had a look inside the new Wembley Stadium then tonight presents an ideal opportunity. You can buy tickets for a mere £10 (£5 conceessions) on the gate to see a strong England Under 21 football squad take on their Portuguese counterparts in a qualifier for next year's European Championships.
Spurs fans are sure to be particularly interested since the match offers their new striker, Fraizer Campbell, his first competitive outing since his controversial season long loan move from Manchester United to White Hart Lane as part of the Dimitar Berbatov deal. There'll also be plenty for them to cheer in a midfield which could feature not only Jamie O'Hara, but also established first teamer Tom Huddlestone and a veteran of the 2006 World Cup finals in Aaron Lennon who is actually the youngest of that trio. Spare a thought in passing for his former Leeds United team-mate James Milner who will be extending his dubiously enviable distinction of being England's most capped player at this level if he makes his 38th appearance.
Chelsea are providing two of the England squad's defenders. The stylish Michael Mancienne, a former national captain at Under 18 level, will be hoping for a run out in his preferred central defensive position rather than at right back where he was mostly used in his 58 loan appearances at Queens Park Rangers over the last couple of campaigns. Mancienne is staying at Stamford Bridge and fighting for a place this season, but Southwark born left back Ryan Bertrand has returned to Norwich City on loan and seems happy there as he approaches his fiftieth total league appearance on loan to various clubs.
Rounding out the London contingent is West Ham United first team midfielder Mark Noble who has already scored three times in eleven national appearances at this level. Arsenal fans might also be interested to check on the progress of former prospect Fabrice Muamba who is now plying his trade at Bolton. Plenty of other well-known names will potentially be on show, too, including the goalkeeping Joes Hart of Manchester City and Lewis of Peterborough United, the latter of which was famously called into a full England squad earlier this year. Hart's team-mates Micah Richards and Michael Johnson are also available as is Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor who recently scored a hat-trick on the Premiership's opening Saturday.
Tickets can be purchased from Wembley's East ticket booth from noon with either cash or card. A fast track, cash only entry will operate at turnstile M from 5:45pm.
Picture via nyaa_birdies_perch 's Flickr stream.
