Nigel Backing England Pals In France

DESPITE being ruled out due to an ankle injury, Hammers midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker is backing his England Under-21 colleagues to claim a memorable victory in France that will see them qualify for the UEFA European Championships next summer.

After a 1-1 draw against France at White Hart Lane, Peter Taylor's men go to France knowing that victory will seal their participation next summer. And England Under-21 captain Nigel believes his team-mates can do it.

"We definitely have a good chance of going through," insisted Nigel. "If we can play over there like we did in the second-half of the game at White Hart Lane then we can do it.

"It's going to be a tough game, but we showed in the second-half of the first-leg that we are a threat.

"In the first-half we didn't play well, but we showed good character to come back in the second-half and equalise. Now we've got to go to France and turn in a really strong performance."

Hammers defender Anton Ferdinand played the full 90 minutes of the first-leg at White Hart Lane and is in-line to start tonight's second-leg.

France Under-21s v England Under-21s at the Stade Marcel Picot in Nancy, kick-off 8.00pm (9.00pm local time). Live on Sky Sports.