MATT Phillips will join up with the provisional England U19 squad on Tuesday with one thing in mind – to make the cut for the European Championships taking place in France next month.

The Wanderers midfielder is one of 23 players going on a four-day training camp to Warwickshire, after which five players will be put on standby and sent back to their clubs.

Phillips, who only broke into the squad during the Elite tournament in Ukraine earlier this summer, said: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a big few days for me.

“England took six forwards to Ukraine and I think seven are going on the training camp, so everyone will be fighting for a spot.

“I hope I do it because it’s a dream to play for your country. Even if it’s only U19s it’s still a really big deal.”

Phillips will miss the start of pre-season training for Blues, but manager Gary Waddock is not worried about that and, despite a week in Aya Napa, the 19-year-old says he’s kept himself in good shape.

He said: “I went out and had a good time, but they [England] told us there might be a training camp in early July so I didn’t let myself go.

“Football is a year-round job these days. It used to be that you would go away and have a good time then come back and get fit during pre-season.

“Now you use your holidays to get fit for pre-season.

“Wanderers gave me a fitness schedule before I left. It’s just a bit of gym work and sharpness so I’m doing that and also going on runs.”

And if Phillips needs any motivation to pound the pavements while his friends are sitting back enjoying the sunshine, there’s all he needs in South Africa.

He said: “The World Cup is where I want to be, but it’s early days for me.”