ENGLAND U21 head coach Gareth Southgate says the passion of Derby County's supporters is one of the key reasons why his side can't wait to visit the iPro Stadium.
It was announced last night that Derby will host the 2015 European Under 21 Championship qualifier between England and Wales on March 5 next year.
The Football Association selected Derby as their preferred venue for the game after weeks and months of dialogue with club officials.
Southgate said he is convinced a strong crowd will turn out to support the Three Lions.
He said: "We're really looking forward to playing in front of what I'm sure will be another fantastic crowd at Derby, similar to recent matches there featuring the England Under 21s.
"It's a region which has a long tradition of giving great support and passionate fans who know and love the game.
"The players we have available to us at England Under 21 level, some of whom of course will be known to Derby fans, are certainly an exciting group and with it being against Wales, I'm sure it will be great occasion for those who travel to the game."
Derby's squad currently contains three England Under 21 internationals in Will Hughes, Andre Wisdom (on loan from Liverpool) and Michael Keane (on loan from Manchester United) and the game will be the seventh occasion that the Under 21s have played at the Rams' home since 1999.
