Howes set for Euro kick-off

Young West Ham United goalkeeper Sam Howes will be hoping to play a part when the England Under-17 squad begin their UEFA U17 European Championship campaign against hosts Malta on Friday.

The 16-year-old stopper has impressed at both Club and international level this season and picked up the Young Hammer of the Year award at the annual Player Awards evening on Tuesday night.

Howes couldn't be at the ceremony to collect the accolade as he was travelling as part of John Peacock's 18-man squad for the tournament, which begins when Holland take on Turkey at 11am on Friday.

England kick-off their campaign when they play Malta in the Ta' Qali National Stadium in their first group match at 5pm on Friday, with the game being aired live on British Eurosport 2.

The West Ham 'keeper will by vying with Newcastle United's Freddie Woodman for a start between the sticks with matches against Turkey on Monday 12 May and Holland on Thursday 13 May rounding off the Young Lions' group games.

Should England progress from their group they will meet one of Scotland, Portugal, Switzerland or Germany in the semi-finals, which will take place on Sunday 18 May.

If the Young Lions reach the final they will again return to Malta's National Stadium on Wednesday 21 May to try and reclaim the trophy which they won in 2010.

The call-up caps a fine season for Howes after he broke into both the Club's U18 and Development Squad teams over the course of the 2013/14 season.

His fine form for the Hammers led to an England U17 debut in January 2014 when he featured in a defeat to Belgium at St George's Park.

The Hammers stopper clearly did enough to impress the national team coaches as he was selected to represent his country at this year's prestigious Algarve Cup, where he won his second cap in a 2-2 draw with hosts Portugal.

After earning the prestigious Young Hammer of the Year award on Tuesday, Howes will now be looking to round off an excellent season by helping England to win international honours.