SUNDERLAND are today expected to be confirmed as the hosts of England's prestigious Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey.
The Football Association are understood to be announcing the decision to play the game, which will take place on April 2, at the Stadium of Light at a press conference on Wearside this morning.
It is a major coup for Sunderland, who first staged an international at their new ground when England beat Belgium 2-1 in October 1999.
The game against Group Seven seeds Turkey is the biggest in the qualification campaign and is England's second home match.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's men begin their bid to reach Euro 2004, which is being staged in Portugal, with a trip to Slovakia in October.
Four days later, England will meet Macedonia at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium before visiting group minnows Liechtenstein on March 29.
The FA made it clear earlier this year that, with Wembley still out of action, Sunderland plus three other club grounds will be the venues for the qualifiers.
It will be England's second trip to the North-East in 19 months, following their 2-0 win over Albania at St James' Park last September.
Eriksson will use the friendly with Portugal on September 7 at Villa Park as part of his preparations for the Euro 2004 qualifiers.
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