The prospect of England taking on Germany at Feethams in the European Championships looms large as their respective Under-16 teams go into action tonight.

Should England top Group C and Germany finish as Group A runners-up, the old foes will battle it out at the quarter-final stage on Sunday in Darlington.

Germany currently lie third in the table, three points adrift of tonight's opposition Spain, who they must beat to stand a chance of finishing top. The game is at Durham City's New Ferens Park (6.30pm).

England, meanwhile, are in action at Huddersfield, where they play Hungary, looking to build on Tuesday's 2-0 win over Switzerland which followed a 3-1 defeat to Italy on Sunday.

In Group C all four teams have three points, so the likelihood of England ending the group stage in pole position is very much alive.

Spain have the tournament's only 100 per cent record, having despatched Romania 3-0 and thrashed Belgium 5-0. Germany lost their opener to Belgium 2-1, but really hit form at Feethams on Wednesday night when they destroyed Romania 8-2.

The Germans certainly deserved their huge win, as they put on a great display of football, tearing Romania apart with their attacking play.

A crowd of nearly 1,000 created a great atmosphere for the players and received an ovation of their own from the victorious German team at the end of the match.

Kevin Stonehouse, Football in the Community Officer for Darlington, organised the ballboys for the match and was delighted with the way the night went.

"It's been a great success," he said. "I and everyone at Darlington FC would like to thank the people of Darlington for coming to Feethams and supporting the teams so well.

"They created a great atmosphere. It was clear to see from the way the players applauded the crowd at the end of the match that they appreciated the support and atmosphere the crowd generated."

The game was the first of three matches in the tournament at Feethams, with the final Group A clash taking place tonight (kick-off 6.30pm) when Belgium meet Romania.

Tickets for tonight and Sunday's possible England-Germany quarter-final cost £3 adults and £1 under-16s with accompanied juniors allowed free admittance.

Tickets are available from the Darlington ticket office on (01325) 242020 or can be purchased at the turnstiles.

As Durham City prepare for this evening's game, chairman Stewart Dawson said: "We're really looking forward to this match. Both teams have been playing good football and I think fans who come along to this game could be seeing the champions of the tournament in the making."

Tickets are available from Durham City's ticket office on (0191) 396 1616 or can be purchased at the turnstiles. Tickets cost £3 adults and £1 children, with children from organised junior groups going free provided they take a letter or some form of identification.

l West Ham striker Frederic Kanoute could spark a £10m-plus summer transfer scramble after revealing he is ready to consider offers to leave Upton Park.

But while the Frenchman insists Manchester United, Liverpool and Juventus are all interested, West Ham maintain the striker is not for sale and that they would resist any moves to buy him.

Kanoute, who was a target for Chelsea and Rangers this season as he quickly made his mark in England, has given hints of frustration in the past only to later deny his comments.

However, this time he would appear to have left rather less room for doubt in an interview given to French magazine.

Kanoute declared: ''Chelsea came to see me mid-season to negotiate. They made me a very attractive offer and it was rather interesting for West Ham.

''But I refused in the end because it was too early to leave. I preferred to stay and at least see the season out.

''Now the season is practically over, it's clear that my way of thinking is going to be radically different. Each offer I receive will get all my attention because now I feel ready. My ambitions have changed."