Stuart Pearce has told his England Under-21 stars they could be playing for their place in the senior team when they face Ireland in a crucial UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier at Southampton on Tuesday night.
Pearce's charges are close to clinching a play-off place after winning five and drawing one of their last six games in the qualifying stages of the competition.
But with senior Manager Fabio Capello still searching for new talent for his England revolution, there are also places up for grabs with the big boys – and that will surely be on the players’ minds as they play in front of a 31,000 sell-out crowd at St Mary's.
“I’ve had talks with Fabio and he’s very, very keen to know who are the next group of players coming through," revealed Pearce.
"When he arrived he probably already knew the big hitters in this country, but what’s struck me is that he’s keen to know who are the others on the outside and the ones he needs to look out for. And I can supply him with that information.
"Because of my role with the senior team, I'll be going straight from the Under-21 match to join up with the main squad and you can bet I'll be telling him who has impressed. I will make him acutely aware of what he’s got coming through.
“The manager is very open minded. It’s a new era and he has his own ideas. He will be having a good look at everybody on Tuesday."
That should be a big incentive to the likes of Arsenal striker Theo Walcott and Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon - who was left out of the senior squad to give him more match time at Under-21 level.
"I know Fabio is very interested in seeing Aaron play," added Pearce.
"From my point of view I think if players are of an age to play for the Under-21s they will gain more experience from playing than from being in the senior squad and not playing.
"He’s only got two Under-21 caps as it is and you wouldn’t say he’s been a regular for the seniors over a period of time. It’s the first time I will have worked with him and I’m looking forward to it.
"There's a lot on the match because we are close to reaching that play-off. But we have a strong squad and there is a lot of experience in there."
Pearce has promised his players he will be with them all the way through to the finals in Sweden in 2009 no matter what happens.
He added: “Paramount to me is the Under-21s, there’s no doubt about that. I wouldn’t have given up the Under-21s to go into the senior squad on a full-time basis.
"Getting this squad qualified and having a tilt at the Championships in 2009 was a big drive for me. I’ve told the players right from the offset that I will be their manager all the way through, come what may. I’ll be good to my word in that respect."
Pearce is also delighted at the level of support his players will receive in Southampton, after tickets sold out over the weekend and he believes taking the Under-21s around the country has been a huge success.
“I love going around the grounds, especially at this age group," he explained.
"There’s a national stadium for the seniors and I’m fully supportive of that, it’s one of the best stadiums in the world. But it’s vitally important the Under-21s get around the grounds.
“When you are selling stadiums out it proves we are doing the right thing. It’s a big match on Tuesday with a lot at stake and we’re looking forward to it."