England's under-21 clash with Norway tonight is the perfect opportunity for Colchester United to showcase all they have to offer.

That is the view of U’s general manager Tim Waddington, who says the club are proud to be hosting the Euro 2017 qualifier at the Weston Homes Community Stadium (kick-off 5.45pm).

The likes of Marcus Rashford, Calum Chambers and Nathan Redmond are all set to feature for Gareth Southgate’s Young Lions side in their Group Nine fixture against Norway, who have been preparing for the match at the U’s Florence Park training ground.

It is the first time that England under-21s have played at Colchester since 2011, when former U’s striker Marvin Sordell was on target in a 5-0 triumph over Iceland.

And ahead of tonight’s game, which is expected to attract a crowd of around 7,500 to the stadium, U’s chief Waddington said it is a big occasion for the club.

Waddington told the Daily Gazette: “It’s huge for us and we’re genuinely proud to be able to attract that kind of calibre.

“Games like the England game showcase us and businesses who use our facilities and enjoy what they get from it might consider it again.

“But equally it’s a great opportunity for people to see the future of our national team right on our doorstep.

“We’re going to see some of the brightest talent in both squads and these England kids are the ones who are in and around Premier League teams.

“The facility and location is good for it, they know that they’re going to get a decent attendance for it and they know that we’re capable of doing our job, in terms of the operational side of it.

“We can’t expect to get these things every year but I’d like to think that every year or two years, we can pull another one in.

“It’s pretty much a clean slate in terms of us being selected to host the game and it’s the first time that I’ve dealt with the FA’s event manager.

“But he’s got notes and records to say that we’re efficient in what we do.

“Everything we do, we have to do as efficiently and professionally as we can.

“I hope that we’ve raised our game over the last few years and I think for the size of club that we are, we’re leading the pack.”

Colchester are urging spectators to get to the Community Stadium as early as possible for tonight’s earlier 5.45pm kick-off time.

“The kick-off time is going to make it hard for people to get out of work and get here on time, right at the beginning of the school term,” said Waddington.

“But it is what it is and we have to roll with what they do.

“Hopefully, people can make some adjustments to their working day and enjoy it.

“The earlier that people can get here the better and that’s the message we’re putting across.”

Tickets, which will be open right up until half-time tonight, are priced at £10 for adults and £5 concessions, with family tickets (two adults, two children) priced at £20.