Forster-Caskey expects different test from Portugal

Tuesday 16 Jun 2015
Jake Forster-Caskey trains in Olomouc ahead of Euro Finals this week
As England Under-21s prepare for their UEFA European Championship opener against Portugal on Thursday, Jake Forster-Caskey isn’t reading too much into their previous result against them.

The nations met at Burnley’s Turf Moor last November, when a brace from Danny Ings and a Carl Jenkinson strike earned England a 3-1 win.

England v Portugal

UEFA European U21 Championship
The Finals
7.45pm, Thursday 18 June 2015
Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic
Live on BT Sport

Forster-Caskey was in the starting line-up that evening, but the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder accepts the result will mean little when the sides face-off again in Uherske Hradiste.

"I think the game will be different," he said. 

"I think they had a couple of players missing and we had a few players missing as well.

"It is tournament football, it is not like a friendly so we'll go into that game with some different names and different ambitions, but hopefully the same outcome."

The 21-year-old has been a regular for Gareth Southgate’s side over the last 12 months since his first cap against Wales in May 2014.

Jake Forster-Caskey on the ball

Forster-Caskey in action against Portugal at Turf Moor last November

And, knowing the squad at Southgate’s disposal for the competition in Czech Republic, the former U17 international is confident the Three Lions can return home successful at the end of the month. 

"I believe we can win it," he added. "I think everybody believes that we can win it.

"We're all full of confidence and we're training well. I think anything can happen.

"We've got some great individuals here, the likes of Harry [Kane] and other players that have been to the first-team and come back down.

"We've got some great players and great team spirit, so hopefully that takes us far in the tournament."

You can follow all the latest from inside the England camp here on TheFA.com, via Twitter and Instagram @England, or Facebook/EnglandTeam

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels in Olomouc