England MU21s set for March dates in Leicester and Fulham

England men's under-21s will warm up for a big summer by taking on France and Croatia in March 2023.

Lee Carsley’s age group are preparing for their ninth successive U21 EURO, to be staged in Romania and Georgia across June and July.

And the Young Lions will warm up for that championship by taking on two fellow finalists at Premier League venues in their first games of 2023.

Leicester City will be the stage for the fixture against the French on Saturday 25 March (5pm kick-off) before the MU21s head south to Fulham’s Craven Cottage to meet Croatia on Tuesday 28 March (7.45pm kick-off).

“The best preparation we can have for a European Championship is to test ourselves against top class opposition and that is exactly what France and Croatia will provide," said head coach Carsley.

“It’s even better that those matches are taking place on home soil and putting on a show in Leicester and Fulham will be the perfect send off ahead of an exciting summer for this talented group of Young Lions.”

Croatia are familiar foes for the MU21s having last met in the group stage of the last edition of the U21 EURO; a 2-1 victory in Koper, Slovenia.

Similarly, England last met France at the finals of an U21 EURO; a 2-1 group stage defeat in Cesena, Italy in 2019.

Tickets for both fixtures cost £15 for adults and £7.50 for concessions and can be accessed via TheFA.com/tickets. Season ticket holders at both clubs as well as group bookings can secure tickets for £10 per adult and £5 per concession. 'Early bird' prices of £10 for adults and £5 for concessions will also be available for the first week of sales.

England will be based in Georgia at this summer’s tournament alongside a group with reigning champions Germany, Czech Republic and Israel.