Norwich City winger Nathan Redmond hopes Ipswich Town fans put club allegiances to one side tonight.

The Canaries' summer signing is part of an England Under-21 squad that faces their Lithuanian counterparts in a European Championship qualifier at Portman Road (6pm).

More than 13,000 tickets having been sold for the match on Suffolk soil, with Redmond hopeful that national pride take priority over East Anglian rivalry as the young Three Lions aim to move top of Group One.

'You get that wherever you go with different clubs and rivalries,' said the 19-year-old, who has become a fans' favourite at Carlow Road following a summer switch from Birmingham.

'At the end of the day we're playing for England on home soil so I'm hoping I don't get too much stick. Regardless, I'll have my heads screwed on if selected - I'll be ready to play.'

There's been plenty of talk recently about how English's football's production line is failing; about how potential is being stifled by the number of foreign players in the game, how young players aren't motivated enough and English coaches don't teach the technical side of the game.

Redmond disagrees, however, after being involved in an England Under-21 squad top-loaded with flair and creative players.

'There has been a lot of talk recently about how we don't have players for the future, but just look at this Under-21 squad and the Under-20s below us.

'Ravel (Morrison), (Nathaniel) Chalobah, Harry Kane, Saido (Berahino), Tom (Ince), (Raheem) Sterling, (Wilfried) Zaha – you go through the names and think 'wow, that's a good team'.

'I've been playing in some five-a-side matches with these guys and it's to see these sort of players all trying to out-do one another.

'I think the future looks great for English football.'