England to play friendly against Austria in November

LONDON, Aug 24 (Reuters) England will play a friendly international against Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria in Vienna on November. 16, five days before their final qualifying match at home to Croatia.

''It's an excellent opportunity to play against good opposition ahead of what will be a tough qualification game against Croatia,'' said England coach Steve McClaren in a joint media release issued by the Austrian and English FAs today.

''We remain confident that we will still have our Euro 2008 fate in our hands in November,'' said McClaren whose team are fourth in qualifying group E, three points adrift of leaders Croatia and Israel.

Austria, who have already qualified for the tournament as hosts, last played England during the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup, drawing 2-2 in Vienna before losing 1-0 in Manchester.

REUTERS TB RK2008