Excitement grows around international action at The Hawthorns

What promises to be an evening of celebration of England's eye-catching next wave of talent is also a significant evening for Albion in what the club view as a coup to attract international action.

The Baggies' owners Bilkul Football are optimistic that a successful evening can potentially bring more international football to the stadium, partly to help boost the club's profile as the American ownership look to stamp their mark.

It is fitting that there is Three Lions action at The Hawthorns in the club's historic home's 125th year, with the official anniversary to come in the autumn.

A friendly warm-up fixture sees Portugal under-21s visit the Black Country to tackle their English counterparts in preparation for this summer's European Championship in Slovakia in June, in which the young Lions are holders from 2023.

The last time any England action took place at Albion's home was in August 2009, where the under-20s routed Montenegro 5-0 in a warm-up fixture.

Among the side that played that day were three future Baggies players - Hal Robson-Kanu, who went on to represent Wales at senior level, Martin Kelly and Marc Albrighton.

Future England regulars Kyle Walker and Jordan Henderson - still in the senior squad today - were among the under-20s substitutes.

Rather alarmingly a crowd of just 2,150 gathered in The Hawthorns to watch the comfortably victory. It could be suggested such a paltry attendance played a part in little interest from the governing body in a return.

That is some contrast to tonight, where well in excess of 10,000 supporters will populate the East Stand and lower Birmingham Road end to support Lee Carsley's young side.

Initially it was only the former open to fans, but ticket sales were so encouraging the Birmingham Road and Woodman Corner were also opened.

There is no shortage of talent in the current under-21s crop, which is among the most impressive cohort in memory.

Among those on display will be Premier League regulars Jarrad Branthwaite, of Everton, Manchester City's Rico Lewis, Elliot Anderson, of Nottingham Forest and Arsenal sensation Ethan Nwaneri.

Also involved are Archie Gray (Tottenham), Liam Delap (Ipswich), Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) and Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich), as well as a host of top Championship talent.

It is that kind of stacked attacking quality which has meant disappointment for Albion's Tom Fellows.

It had been hoped the Baggies academy product would make the cut having made his under-21s debut at the beginning of the season, but Fellows was overlooked in Carsley's final selection.

Fellows has struggled to find the kind of consistent form that earned him a call in September and saw him top the Championship assist reckoning.

Carsley, who was interim Three Lions boss between Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel, had watched Fellows for Albion recently at home against QPR, where the winger impressed but was withdrawn at half-time as Tony Mowbray made a tactical reshuffle following Darnell Furlong's red card.

Fellows, 21, then missed the final fixture before the squad selection call, at Burnley, due to a family bereavement.

Albion omission disappointment will not dampen an exciting evening, though. Scores of young fans are expected and not even school night, or the fact England's senior team are in action this evening, have stunted ticket sales.

Albion will hope a successful evening can bring more of the same.