Will Hughes is hoping to help England Under-21s to victory in his hometown on Wednesday evening, when the Three Lions take on Wales in Derby.
The 18-year-old has been a regular with the Three Lions and Derby County this season, with both teams doing well in their respective competitions.
England U21s v Wales U21s
UEFA Euro Qualifier
6pm, Wednesday 5 March 2014
iPro Stadium, Derby County
And after scoring his first Under-21s goal in an impressive 9-0 win over San Marino in the previous game with San Marino last November, Hughes just wants to keep the good form going at the iPro Stadium.
"It’s my hometown club and where I’ve been playing for the last two years, so hopefully we can get a result there," he told TheFA.com ahead of the game.
"There’s always a bit of added spice when it’s home nations against one another, so hopefully there will be a few tackles flying in.
"I think it will be different to Moldova, no disrespect to them but I think it will be more competitive.
Hughes speaks to the press ahead of the game at Derby
"Hopefully the referee will allow it to be [a typical British game], so we’ll find out but it will be a tasty game and a good watch.
"Derby’s always had a good fanbase over the years and I think Wednesday will be no different in having an international team there, so hopefully we’ll get a good crowd."
Hughes has been a regular member of Gareth Southgate’s Under-21 squad so far this season, only missing the two games in October through injury.
And he’s been encouraged to see the progression made by the likes of Luke Shaw and Raheem Sterling, who were called up into Roy Hodgson’s senior squad last week after previously impressing with the Under-21s this term.
"It’s good to see that Hodgson is seeing us progress as an Under-21 team and I think the likes of Luke deserve it with the way they’ve been playing," he admitted.
Hughes in action against San Marino last year
"It gives us the motivation, as Under-21 players, to know that there is a pathway to the senior team."
Watch the full interview with Will in the video player above.
Tickets for the game on Wednesday cost just £10 for adults and £5 for concessions and will be available at the iPro Stadium on the night.
