York City trainee Chris Hogg is poised for football's ultimate test next month.

Hogg, who will start a three-year scholarship at Bootham Crescent next season, has been named in the England Under-17s squad to face two of the world's traditional football superpowers, Brazil and Italy.

The prestigious three-team friendly will be staged at the Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers grounds.

Hogg, who captained his country at under-15 level last season, is the only player named in the England set-up from outside the Premiership or First Division.

Brazil and Italy are sure to provide stiff tests for an England team making their debuts at this age level.

However, morale within the England group will be high.

Middlesbrough-born Hogg, 16, and his fellow young lions enjoyed a successful Montaigu tournament in April where England were only edged out 1-0 in the final by hosts France.

The Under-17s will be coached during the regular season by former York City reserve and St John's College student Dick Bate.

However, the summer tournament will see Hogg and his team mates come under the guidance of the FA's director of technical development Les Reed, assisted by Steve Rutter and goalkeeping coach Martin Thomas.

The match schedule is:

England v Italy, Wednesday, July 11, 8.05pm at Wigan; Italy v Brazil, Friday, July 13, 7pm at Wigan; England v Brazil, Sunday, July 15, 4pm, at Bolton.

Tickets are priced £3 for adults and unaccompanied under-16s and free to pensioners and accompanied under-16s.

Squad: Ross Turnbull (Middlesbrough), Nicholas Eyre (Tottenham), Stuart Bridges (Aston Villa), Dorian Small (Arsenal), Chris Hogg (York City), Matthew Sadler (Birmingham), Stacy Long, Osei Sankofa (both Charlton), Tom Groves, James Biggins (both Nottingham Forest), Lee Croft, Dorryl Proffitt (both Manchester City), Neale McDermott, Ross Gardner, Lewis Guy (all Newcastle United), Scott Brown, Wayne Rooney, Sean Doherty (all Everton).

Updated: 09:20 Wednesday, June 20, 2001