The FA's director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking, says the nation's U16 team is one to watch.

He said: "My Under-16s group is probably the best one I've had. We have to protect them, make sure they come through if we are going to be challenging for 2018. There will be concerns unless we do change the way we are doing it.

"There is fantastic knowledge in the Premier League and Football League clubs' academies and centres of excellence, all they are asking for is a platform for their voices to be heard. That's the frustration."