Match preview: U23s face Newcastle United in PL International Cup

The format of this competition sees 12 of England's best academy sides compete against 12 of the top development squads from across the rest of Europe.

Six four-team groups have been drawn featuring two English sides and two of their European counterparts, with the winners and the two best runners-up set to make the quarter-finals.

As well as the Magpies, Critchley's team have been drawn alongside PSV Eindhoven and Sparta Prague in Group A, with all fixtures set to take place on these shores.

Where is the game being played? The tie is taking place at Prenton Park, home of Tranmere Rovers FC, with kick-off set for 7pm GMT.

How can I watch the game? We are showing the match live on LFCTV and LFCTV GO, with our coverage starting at 6.30pm. Click here to sign up now.

View from the manager, Neil Critchley

"I was very pleased with our performance against Bristol City and it was important we bounced back after the defeat to Leicester City - we did it pretty emphatically.

"We are looking forward to playing on Friday night as there's always something different about playing under the floodlights and Tranmere Rovers has a nice pitch and nice surroundings. We've played there quite a lot now so it feels more like our home every time we play there.

"Newcastle United won their first game in this competition and hopefully we can get off to a good start on Friday night."

View from the player, Matty Virtue

"We've had a really strong start to the season. The team are playing really well and we are just looking to kick on from there. The training level is unbelievable every day and that is making us better players. We have people with us like Danny Ings and Jon Flanagan and it makes us a really strong team.

"Last season in the Premier League International Cup we played against the likes of Porto and Wolfsburg, which is different to the sides we normally play against. It's a different challenge but we look forward to it.

"I think Newcastle will be strong and we have just got to try and play our own game and not get caught up in the physical side of it."