Academy director Huw Jennings is backing Matthew Mills to bounce back from his Coventry City nightmare when he plays for England under-19s against the Czech Republic tonight.

Saints defender Mills scored an 87th-minute own goal in his fifth appearance for Coventry, who he joined on loan last month, to gift Ipswich Town a 2-1 win in the Coca Cola Football League Championship at Highfield Road on Sunday.

The 18-year-old shinned a back pass into his own net but has to put that behind him when he plays for England under-19s in front of a capacity 23,300 crowd at Norwich City's Carrow Road tonight (7.45pm).

Centre back Mills is set to play alongside fellow Saint Martin Cranie in the Sky-televised friendly.

Jennings said: "He would have learnt hugely from the experience. As a centre back mistakes are often magnified and Sunday was a case in point. But Matthew's a determined person and I'm sure he'll be able to put this behind him.

"Matthew did well for most of the game on Sunday, it was his header that led to the Coventry equaliser. That will not console him but it was just one of those things."

Coventry boss Peter Reid has already had an initial request for Mills to stay for a second month turned down by Saints.

Reid said: "Matthew has been excellent for us, it was just an unfortunate mistake that cost us a point."