The road to Italy and San Marino, who host the next Euro Finals in 2019, began for the Young Lions with a trip to face the Netherlands on Friday 1 September.

But Aidy Boothroyd’s side will be back on home soil four days later to take on Latvia at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium on Tuesday 5 September.

It will be the first time that the South Coast venue has staged an U21 fixture, having previously hosted England Women and the men’s U20s and U19s in recent years.

In the following month, the Young Lions will be at the other end of the country for their next game and it’s one to look forward to as Scotland make the trip across the border to Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.

That game will take place on Friday 6 October, when England will be hoping to put on a similar show to their last visit to Teesside when Gareth Southgate’s side beat Germany by 3-2 in a thrilling encounter back in March 2015.

Boothroyd takes his squad into the new campaign on the back of this summer’s trip to Poland for the Euro Finals where the Young Lions reached the semi-final stage, drawing 2-2 after extra time with eventual champions Germany and eventually losing on penalties.

And the players who helped England to win the U20 World Cup and U19 Euros this summer could also come into contention for the U21s’ new term, giving the head coach plenty of options for the campaign ahead.

Tickets for both matches are on sale now at TheFA.com/Tickets or via the hosting clubs, at the prices listed below:-

Adults £10
Children* £5
OAPS* £5
Students £5 – Valid NUS Card must apply
Family ticket £20 (2 adults and 2 children)
Disabled* Full price according to age category with carer going free

Group bookings: For 15 people or more (no age restrictions and bookable in advance only): £5 adults, £2.50 concessions

Charter Standard Clubs: Up to ten complimentary tickets on proof of membership with any additional uptake at the group rate.

*In line with the club’s own standard policies in terms of age requirements.