York City goalkeeper Russ Howarth is in the England Under-18 squad to travel to Poland later this month intent on rescuing their hopes of qualification for this summer's European Championships.

As reported in the Evening Press, Howarth was on the bench at Tottenham's White Hart Lane in the first leg as England suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Poles.

The second-leg will be staged in Poland on Thursday, April 26, meaning Howarth will not be available to City for their rearranged Division Three clash with Shrewsbury on April 24.

He will however be available for selection for the following Saturday's trip to Torquay United.

If England can overturn the 1-0 deficit they will qualify for the European Championship finals, to be staged in Finland in July.

York City intermediates will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to their Youth Alliance Merit Division Northern Section Division One campaign when they travel to take on Oldham tomorrow (kick-off 11am).

With the likes of Scott Emmerson and Leigh Wood now part of the first team set-up and Chris Hogg on England Under-15 duty together with a number of injuries, head of youth development Paul Stancliffe has called up promising youngster Lee Grant into the squad.

Defender Grant, who hails from York, is a member of City's Under-15s squad.

Second-year trainee Chris Gowen, set to be released by City at the end of the year, is currently on trial at Northampton.

Adam Russell, another youth trainee told he will not be retained, is on trial at Barnsley.

Updated: 11:44 Friday, April 13, 2001