Harry Winks has backed his England U19s team-mates to end their week in Luxembourg with a victory over Belgium on Wednesday.
The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has helped his country progress to the final stage of Euro qualifying, playing in wins over Belarus and the host nation.
Belgium have also made it through to the elite qualifying round next spring with six points from their two matches – but Winks believes this Young Lions squad has the talent to deny their opponents top spot in the group and make it three wins out of three.
England v Belgium
UEFA U19s Championship
First Qualifying Round
6pm (BST), Wednesday 15 October
Avenir Beggen FC, Luxembourg
Winks said: “Hopefully when we go to the Euros we will be coming up against the best countries so it will be good to play against a side like Belgium. You have to beat the best teams if you’re going to win the tournament – and that is obviously our aim.
“They will have some technically gifted players, we know that. They will be tactically clever as well so it will be a test.
“But I think we can do it. We have played well over the last two games. We know Belgium will be a lot tougher than our first two qualifiers but I think we’ve got the quality in this squad to win any game.”
Winks, who scored a late winner for the U18s against Germany in April, came off the bench against Belarus but made his first U19s start in the 8-0 win over Luxembourg – and almost got himself on the scoresheet, hitting the bar with a first-half free-kick.
But the 18-year-old was happy with his overall contribution, and with his team-mates’ performance.
He said: “It was great to get my first start. Any time I play for England it’s a great achievement, and to win the game as well is brilliant. Hopefully I can get a few more caps now.
“I was disappointed I didn’t get a goal but I think I played OK. I just want to get as many touches on the ball as I can, and try and dictate the play. I’m happy with how I did.
“We didn’t underestimate Luxembourg. They are the host nation and we would never be that complacent. But we definitely deserved the win. I thought we were ruthless.
He added: “I think we’ve gelled together well.
“A lot of the boys have been around each other for the past couple of seasons and we all know each other quite well now – and that’s showing on the pitch with us winning matches.”
Seven players in Sean O’Driscoll’s squad featured as England U18s defeated Belgium 4-0 at St. George’s Park in February, including Winks and hat-trick hero Bradley Fewster.
Belgium will be without Genk forward Siebe Schrijvers through suspension.
