Aidy Boothroyd is optimistic that his England U21s can go a long way to securing Euro qualification in Latvia on Tuesday.
The Young Lions currently top their group table and remain five points clear of the second-placed Netherlands, who held England to a draw last week.
And with three games to go, starting with the clash in Jelgava, Boothroyd is backing his men to do the job.
“I’m always confident we can get the result,” said the head coach.
“But I’m only confident because I’ve got the players at my disposal. When I look at this U21s squad, it’s probably the strongest one I’ve ever had.
“That’s good in many ways, but it gives you a bit of a problem as they’ve all got a right to say: ‘I should be in the team’.
“That’s up to me and the staff to manage, but I’m confident that we’ll go and give a good performance.”
England came closest to breaking the deadlock against the Dutch at Carrow Road, creating a handful of chances and seeing Demarai Gray hit the woodwork with a late effort.
Gray has since linked up with the Gareth Southgate’s senior squad, but Boothroyd has no concerns about where his team’s goals might come from against Latvia.
“There’s not a problem in front of goal,” he added. “I was quite pleased to turn around [on Friday] and see Solanke and Tammy Abraham there, to give Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] and James [Maddison] a breather. I think we’re fine in terms of creating chances.
“It will be tough in Latvia, but it’s up to us to break that down and it’s part of the players’ growth and learning.
“I’m pleased with where we are, I’m looking forward to Latvia and it’s very much in our hands with three games to go.”
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