UEFA fears the next wave of violence between England and Turkey fans may erupt against the relatively peaceful backdrop of the European Under 21 Championships in Slovakia.

Howard Wilkinson and his Under 21 squad arrived here in Bratislava last night for the first of their three group games, against Italy tomorrow.

The tournament is traditionally a lowkey event and only 10,000 tickets have been sold so far for an eight-team competition that culminates with a final here a week tomorrow.

England follow their game with Italy with the match against Turkey at Inter Bratislava's 15,000-capacity Pasienky Stadium on Monday night. They then take on the home nation at the same venue on Thursday.

UEFA is on red alert in the wake of the murder of two English fans before Leeds United's UEFA Cup semi-final defeat to Galatasaray in the Turkish capital, Istanbul, last month and the rioting before the same Turkish team' s victory against Arsenal in the Final in Copenhagen last week.

European football's governing body said last night that the 500 Turks and 150 English supporters expected to arrive here today and tomorrow will be accompanied by police from their likely arrival point at the Austrian border on the 35-mile trip to the capital and are expected to be monitored throughout their stay.

Interpol has already identified suspected troublemakers and border guards will alert officers in Bratislava of their arrival.

'We are aware that there is potential for trouble and we held a very long meeting this morning with Interpol, the British and Turkish embassies and the police,' said UEFA spokesman said yesterday. 'We have also spoken about this matter with the local organising committee. The border guards are aware of individuals who have been identified as potential troublemakers.

'That concerns fans from both Turkey and England. Supporters will be accompanied into the country from the Austrian border, as that is where the fans will arrive, mostly by train. We know where they are staying and they will be accompanied at all times until they leave. We are very worried about the potential for trouble.

'So far, we have sold 10,000 tickets but people here are not used to buying them in advance. We predict that many more will turn up for each game.'

The Slovakian police are determined to learn from the failures of Copenhagen, where a low-profile policing policy went awry during 24 hours of disorder in the Danish capital, and members of the local force will have a highly-visible presence throughout the tournament.

UEFA and the tournament organ-isers are confident that the championships can take place without trouble. But they are taking no chances and security around England's 20-strong squad will be tight.

As is normal for such events, security will be in evidence at England's training headquarters, while armed guards will patrol every floor of the hotel where the squad are staying.

Wilkinson is also keen to steer clear of anything that may incite trouble. 'All I can do is tell the players to behave,' he said. 'Apart from that, there is little else we can do. Troublemakers do not think like us and it is difficult to second guess them.'

England must win their group to reach the final and Sports Minister Kate Hoey, here for a weekend conference on drugs in sport, is expected to attend the Turkey game.

Hoey will watch events with interest and some trepidation, given the effect a further outbreak of hooliganism might have on the FA's World Cup 2006 bid and the repercussions it could have for Euro 2000.