Francis Jeffers has been away from the limelight for the past 15 months but he was still the No1 target for autograph hunters at the England under-21 team hotel this week. Jeffers is still fondly remembered in the north-west for his highly-promising performances as a teenager at Everton.

The world seemed at his feet when he joined Arsenal in a much-publicised £10million move last year, but since then injuries have restricted him to just 10 appearances - only three as a starter - for The Gunners.

While Messrs Henry, Bergkamp, Wiltord and Kanu scored the goals which led Arsenal to The Double, Jeffers netted just twice and this summer had an operation to remove a floating piece of bone from his ankle.

Now he is raring to go and it was a major boost for him when David Platt named him to start tonight against Yugoslavia at Bolton's Reebok Stadium . "Obviously, I wanted to be in the team but I didn't necessarily expect it with the injuries I've had," said Jeffers, whose competitive action this season has been restricted to two reserve team games.

"I feel alright in myself and the ankle is good, but I need a few more games to feel 100 per cent fit."

Jeffers recognises he has a fight on his hands to win a regular place at the Premiership champions but says it feels like his Arsenal career is really just beginning.

"The last couple of seasons haven't been good for me but hopefully that is behind me now," he stresses. "I have always felt it has been the injuries that have held me back, not any other factors. I am fit for the first time as an Arsenal player and if I can stay fit I can hopefully get in the team. It is going to be tough with the strikers they've got at the club but I knew that before I joined Arsenal

"Of course it is a big season for me. I believe in my own ability, as a player you have to or no-one else will. I am looking forward to the challenge, but also I know if I don't get a crack at it and have to move on somewhere else I will have learned a lot of things at Arsenal."

Jeffers admits he has learned a lot just by being around his superstar team-mates, particularly Thierry Henry. "They show you how to handle things on and off the field," says the Liverpudlian. "Thierry is a young player still; he isn't that much older than me but he's played in World Cups and European Championships. You tend to pick things up from him all the time.

"Who isn't going to learn from playing with four of the best strikers in the world. I think the lads have accepted me there. You could tell during the last game of last season against Everton Thierry was desperate for me to score.

"Patrick Vieira and Tony Adams were also really helpful. They have been through injuries themselves and always took the time to speak to me and say things would work out alright. I can't thank them enough and the manager Arsene Wenger, he laid a lot of money out on me and has shown a lot of patience."

When figures like Wenger and Vieira believe in you, it's obvious there is a talent there. And for David Platt to include Jeffers despite his lack of recent match practise shows the faith in his ability at international level as well.

"It is a big game for me - a chance to get match fit and get sharper," he says. "I don't know how long I will play for but it will be good for me whatever the outcome. It is a big boost."

If Franny can turn the clock back a couple of seasons, the steady stream of autograph hunters gravitating towards him will become a flood.

Francis Jeffers was talking to Joe Bernstein

England team (v Yugoslavia):

Kirkland (Liverpool), Samuel (Aston Villa); Bramble (Newcastle), Barry (captain, Aston Villa), Konchesky (Charlton); Pennant (Arsenal), Jenas (Newcastle), Carrick (West Ham), Prutton (Nottm Forest); Defoe (West Ham), Jeffers (Arsenal)