Sam Howes says he and England team-mates are looking to end their Under-18s campaign in “phenomenal” fashion – while also getting a head-start for next season.
The West Ham United goalkeeper is training with Neil Dewsnip’s squad in Cobham before they depart to Moscow on Saturday for next week’s double-header against Russia, a country in which the senior side have failed to win since 1973.
And despite being a part of the successful U17s side that won the European Championship a year ago, Howes believes this test could yet be the toughest his age-group have faced.
Russia v England
International U18 Matches
8 & 10 June 2015
Arena Khimki, Moscow
Howes told TheFA.com: “We’ve looked at the Russian team quite a lot and have studied a bit of the history of what has gone on out there, and we realise that it is going to be a tough place to go.
“But as a group over the last two years or so we have accepted every challenge that has come our way and this will be no different.
“We feel very passionately about it, and we’ll be going out there to win both games – not just one but both. We’ve got the squad to do this.
“To win the Euros last year was a great achievement, but if we can achieve our target and win both matches, then that will be a phenomenal achievement for us and a fitting way for us to end our U18 campaign.”
Howes and his fellow Young Lions also have an added incentive for the last trip of the season with England U19s boss Sean O’Driscoll within the camp as Dewsnip’s assistant coach.
Sam Howes in action at England training in Cobham
With the opportunity of defending their European crown and the possibility of qualifying for a World Cup next season at U19 level, naturally, the squad are keen to make an early impression on O’Driscoll.
Howes said: “Absolutely – we’ve had a successful season and we’ve repeated the form we showed at U17s level.
“Obviously next year we get back into the competitive side of international football, with the Euros and it’s also a World Cup year, so it’s good we have this chance to make an early impression on him.”
He continued: “It has added an extra edge to the trip. It’s great that he is here with us, he gets to know us a little bit more and we can get to know and understand how he works. He is still relatively new at The FA, but we have all heard a lot about him and know of his managerial career.
“This really does give us a great chance to make a positive impression, and but I know I speak on behalf of all the lads when I see that we are all keen to show him exactly how we go about things.”
Howes faces a familiar rival for the goalkeeper’s jersey this week in Freddie Woodman – the pair have been selected as the shot-stoppers for the majority of England matches of the past 24 months.
Although it is evident he has a deep desire to be his country’s No1, Howes spoke of his respect for his close friend and said that the ‘Goalkeepers Union’ will be in full effect whoever gets selected.
“What me and Fred have is a relationship where we push each other right to the maximum. Obviously there’s things I see in his game that I’d like in mine and vice versa,” he added.
“I’d love to be No1 when the Euro campaign kicks off next year, but obviously you can only pick one goalkeeper. If Fred or someone else is chosen then I’ll be fully supportive of them and if I’m picked I know that he would be the same to me. At the end of the day we both desperately want England to do well.
“That’s the relationship we have got, on and off the pitch. He’s one of the best keepers I’ve worked with at international level and he brings out the best in me.”
