Manchester United’s rising star Corry Evans is hoping to help the Northern Ireland Elite team retain their Milk Cup prize.

While Jonny Evans continues to win admirers at Old Trafford, his younger brother is also making excellent progress.

Steve Beaglehole’s young stars will kick-off their title defence on Monday with a tough opener against Germany in Ballymoney (7pm). He will be hoping for a positive result to keep spirits high ahead of the clash against Bulgaria at the Coleraine Showgrounds on Wednesday (8pm).

Their final match will be on Friday, with the opposition, venue and kick-off time to be confirmed.

“I want to retain the Milk Cup this summer,” said Beaglehole. “I am a winner and I love my teams to win games no matter whether it is a friendly or a competitive match. I had a recent get-together with the players at Lilleshall which proved to be a very useful exercise.”

Beaglehole has named an 18-man squad for the tournament.

Port Vale striker James Lawrie, who also made his full international debut in the 3-0 defeat in Pisa, is also named in the panel.

Northern Ireland Elite Milk Cup squad: Goalkeepers: Conor Devlin (Manchester Utd), Wayne Drummond (Millwall); Defenders: Sean McCashin (Nottingham Forest), Nathan Hanley (Hull City), Conor McLaughlin (Preston North End), Chris Ramsey (unattached), Dean Jarvis (Aberdeen), Howard Beverland (Coleraine), Craig Hill (Ballinamallard); Midfielders: Corry Evans (Manchester Utd), Oliver Norwood (Manchester Utd), Eunan O'Kane (Everton), Stephen Dooley (Coleraine), Patrick McLaughlin (Newcastle); Forwards: Billy Kee (Leicester City), James Lawrie (Port Vale), William Gregg (Walsall), Josh Magennis (Cardiff City).

Elite Section fixtures: Monday: Northern Ireland v Germany (Riada Stadium, Ballymoney) 7pm; Israel v Bulgaria (Ballymena Showgrounds) 8pm; USA v Denmark (8pm); Wednesday: Bulgaria v Northern Ireland (Coleraine Showgrounds) 8pm; Denmark v Israel (Riada Stadium, Ballymoney) 8pm; Germany v USA (Ballymena Showgrounds) 8pm.