U17 COACH POSITIVE

STEVE CooPEr is backing his England starlets to overcome the loss of three star players for Thursday’s Under 17 European semi-final against Ireland or Holland after they beat Norway 2-0 at Burton Albion last night thanks to goals from Bobby duncan and Xavier Amaechi. The England Under 17 boss believes his squad can cope without suspended Manchester United defender Ethan Laird and Arsenal winger Amaechi, plus Manchester City’s Tommy doyle, who has an ankle injury. ‘These things happen in tournament football,’ Cooper said. ‘We’ve got boys ready to go who didn’t play today.’