Jermaine Jenas was undoubtedly one of England's biggest plus points in the friendly defeat against Australia.

So, having kept his place in the senior squad for the Euro 2004 qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Turkey, it was probably an anti-climax to watch from the stands in Vaduz and then be allowed to return to the Under-21s for Tuesday's important qualifier against the young Turks at St James's Park.

Is Jenas disappointed? Undoubtedly yes. Is he downcast? Certainly not.

"I never expected things to come easily. There are world-class midfielders in the England squad and they have all had to wait their turn, it's no different for me," says the 20-year-old dynamo.

"Of course it's slightly mixed feelings to be involved with the Under-21s. It means I'm not with the full squad but at the same time I am representing England at my home ground. Playing for 90 minutes might be better than being on the bench or watching from the stands, it's something that Sven said would be a benefit in the long-term."

Overall, Jenas admits he has little to grumble about, sitting pretty with Newcastle and looking as if he will be part of the international set-up for years to come.

"It's been an incredible year, being in the top three of the Premiership and the Champions League with Newcastle and making my England debut. If you had offered me that 12 months ago, I would have bitten your hand off," he says.

"It will be special to play in Newcastle. As soon as I heard I was going to be involved, I wanted to come over to the Under-21s hotel and meet up with the boys. It is an international match and I'll be taking it seriously."

Indeed, Jenas hinted he might use the game as an incentive to spur him on.

"I have had disappointments before in my career and overcome them," he explains.

"I remember once being left out of an England Schoolboy side. But Paul Hart at Nottingham Forest sat me down and used to chat to me about disappointments. He made me realise that the best players are the ones who overcome any knockbacks that come their way."

Jenas became the second most expensive teenager in English club history behind Robbie Keane when he joined Newcastle from Nottingham Forest.

Since then, the youngster has won rave reviews and comparisons with team-mate Kieron Dyer as Sir Bobby Robson's side have taken the country by storm.

Although he had played on the left-side of midfield at first club Nottingham Forest - where his first manager incidentally was current Under-21 coach David Platt - he has mainly operated for Newcastle in central midfield.

With the left side such a talking point at international level, Jenas admits he would be prepared to play anywhere for England - but that it isn't his best position.

"It's not my favourite position but I would play anywhere for my country," he says. "I don't feel any pressure coming back for Under-21s - I have had the step up to the full squad which means being more in the spotlight but I have never taken anything for granted."

It's hard to believe but this is Jenas' first full season in the Premiership. He says it couldn't be better preparation for international football.

"There are some games you look on paper and think you should win but all the teams in the Premiership are good enough to turn you over," he says. "You always have to be tactically aware and know what's going on around you. The game can quicken at any moment."

Following the 4-2 defeat against Portugal on Friday, England need victory against Turkey to get their qualifying campaign on track. Platt will have to do without Newcastle pair Titus Bramble (injury) and Shola Ameobi (suspension) but those absences are compensated by the opportunity to use Jenas and Arsenal's Francis Jeffers, who has scored five goals in the two qualifying games he has played so far.

Jermaine Jenas was talking to Joe Bernstein

If you want to cheer on David Platt's side when they take on Turkey on this evening, tickets can be purchased via the Newcastle United Box Office Direct Line on 0191 261 1571 priced at £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for children and senior citizens.

Details of special promotions including family and school group tickets can be obtained from the Newcastle United website, www.nufc.co.uk.

Kick off is at 8pm and the match is also live of Sky Sports