Norwich City are expecting a crowd in excess of 15,000 when international football returns to Carrow Road next week.City's award-winning pitch plays host to England Under-21s on Tuesday, the young Lions facing Slovakia in their final warm-up game before the European Championships in Holland next month.

Norwich City are expecting a crowd in excess of 15,000 when international football returns to Carrow Road next week.

City's award-winning pitch plays host to England Under-21s on Tuesday, the young Lions facing Slovakia in their final warm-up game before the European Championships in Holland next month.

Almost 13,000 tickets have already been sold, with plenty more expected to be go in the days leading up to the game.

"We are expecting a decent crowd on Tuesday, but I really would urge fans to purchase their tickets in advance to avoid congestion at the gate on the night," said customer services manager Richard Gough.

It's the first time the Under-21s have visited Norwich since 1997, when England beat Greece 4-2 - with Michael Owen making his one and only Under-21s appearance and then City goalkeeper Andy Marshall on the bench.

But it's a return that has been welcomed by the FA's director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking.

"I've always liked Norwich City," said Sir Trevor. "It's a really friendly club and whenever I have been there I have always had a warm welcome.

"They've had some really good moments down the years, particularly the Uefa Cup run under Mike Walker.

"Martin Peters, one of my mentors, came to Norwich as a player from West Ham (via Tottenham). He always spoke warmly about his time there."

Under-21s boss Stuart Pearce will be putting his team through their paces before they head for Holland and an opening match against the Czech Republic in Arnhem on Monday, June 11.

"This is the perfect place to get in the right mood," said Sir Trevor. "The first game is psychologically very important and Stuart will be very keen to get off to a winning start."

Pearce has lost the services of former Canaries loan player, David Bentley, who has been called into Steve McClaren's senior squad for Friday's friendly against Brazil at Wembley and the vital Euro 2008 qualifying match against Estonia next week.

"David Bentley has done very well in the last few games," added Sir Trevor. "He missed a couple of Under-21 games at the end of 2006, but he has come back strong.

"Mark Hughes deserves a lot of credit for how he's got David taking on more responsibility as a team member."

Pearce has yet to name a squad for the Carrow game but has named a provisional 30-man squad for Holland - and is set to name his final travelling party of 23 players tomorrow.

Goalkeeper Lee Camp, who spent three months on loan at Norwich last season, will be hoping to make an appearance on familiar ground, especially now Scott Carson has been called into the senior squad.

Tickets for the game, which kicks off at 8pm, are priced at £10 for adults and £5 concessions and are available through the ticket hotline (0870 4441902), the ticket offices at Carrow Road or the Canary Store in Castle Mall.