The Academy is ending its summer programme of participation in international tournaments with a trip to Neuss in Germany to contest the Novesia Cup.

A 14-man squad will consist of a selection of under-12 and under-13 boys and will be managed by Tim Kirk and Alex Ball.

It's the first time that City have been invited to the tournament on the strength of successes so far this summer.

Competing teams include Borussia Monchengladbach, Koln, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund and FC Honka from Finland.

The competition is sure to be a tough affair with the Germany academy system being much celebrated; the German national teams have won almost every championship in the last two years from under-16 level upwards.

The strong performances of their youth players in the World Cup in South Africa is further testament to the fruits of a well-organised structure.

Indeed, in May the Bristol City under-14s came across Borussia Monchengladbach in a tournament in Holland. The Germans won 3-0 convincingly and went on to win the tournament.

Tim Kirk said: "This is a challenge the Bristol City youngsters are eagerly anticipating."