The England C squad arrived in Prague on Monday for three days of training, prior to travelling to Poprad in Slovakia for their opening International Challenge Trophy Group A fixture.
Manager Paul Fairclough was forced to bring in a very late replacement to his following the withdrawal of Louis Moult, who was taken ill on the morning that the party flew out of Heathrow. Moult was replaced by Forest Green’s Matty Taylor, who joined up with the squad late Monday night.
England C manager Paul Fairclough and his side are preparing in Prague
The squad have been working at Sparta Prague’s training centre since then and will take part in a warm-up fixture with Sparta Prague B on Wednesday evening.
And Fairclough is pleased with the way the squad has settled, saying: "It was important that we had a few days together prior to the Slovakia game.
"Some of the players have not played for three weeks, whilst the Gateshead duo of James Marwood and Marcus Maddison have had to cope with the disappointment of ending on the losing side in the Conference Promotion Final at Wembley on Sunday.
"After a light session after our arrival, we had a good two hour session this morning and I was very pleased with how it went.
"The game with Sparta Prague will be interesting, to see how the players cope in a more relaxed situation prior to concentrating on the clash with Slovakia.
"It is important that we get off to a good start against Slovakia, especially after they went to Turkey and came away with a point in a 4-4 draw."
The squad fly from Prague on Thursday morning to Kosice in the east of Slovakia and then by road to Poprad.
