Greenhous Meadow chasing under-21 chance

Shrewsbury Town's Greenhous Meadow could be in line to co-host one of the biggest international tournaments in European football.

Along with the high-profile attempt to stage the 2018 World Cup, England have also launched a bid for the 2013 European Under-21 Championships.

And Shrewsbury has been identified as a host venue should England win the race to stage the competition.

Two UEFA delgates were due to inspect the Greenhous Meadow today as part of their assessment of England's bid.

Wembley has been pencilled in to stage the final.

Nottingham Forest's City Ground, Notts County's Meadow Lane and Derby's Pride Park will be used alongside Shrewsbury should England get the nod for a tournament which is staged every two years.

The next crop of talent from leading European powers including Spain, Italy and Holland will be on show.

"It's a huge honour to be included as part of the bid," said Shrewsbury's general manager Jon Harris. "It puts the football club up on a huge pedestal in terms of international football.

"We have got UEFA delegates coming to the ground today to inspect things like the playing surface, as well as behind the scenes facilities that they will need.

"UEFA look on this tournament as their third biggest behind the World Cup and the European Championships so it would be great for the club to be involved."

Shrewsbury has risen to international prominence having hosted England under 19 and women's matches in recent seasons.

The Greenhous Meadow will also act as a training base should England be selected to stage the 2018 World Cup bid.

The 2011 European under 21 Championships will be staged in Denmark, with Stuart Pearce's England qualifying following a two-legged victory over Romania last week.

By James Garrison