England Under-17s duo Cameron Humphreys and Marcus Wood are fired up for Friday’s decisive World Cup showdown with South Korea.
Along with club-mate Will Patching, Humphreys and Wood are preparing for the Young Lions’ all-important group clash in La Serena.
Having recorded just one point so far in Chile, the Young Lions know that a victory is needed to secure their spot in the last 16.
England v South Korea
FIFA Under-17s World Cup
Group B
9pm BST, Friday 23 October
Estadio Francisco Sanchez Rumoroso, Coquimbo
Live on Eurosport 2
For Humphreys, though, such a contest in South America was the last thing on his mind a week ago. It was late last Thursday when he received the call to fly to Chile to replace the injured Tayo Edun.
“It was a bit surreal as obviously I didn’t think I’d be coming. Sadly for Tayo he got injured, but I got the chance to come out to replace him,” the centre-half told TheFA.com.
“My mum got a call about 1am and she came and woke me up to tell me. I left the house around 8am to travel to London to then catch my flight out here.
“It has been easy to fit as I know everyone already, so I’m ready for action.
“South Korea look very organised, but I’m confident we can handle that. It’s in our hands, we have belief we can play, and I think we can go through. We can handle the pressure and get the result.”
Pressure is nothing new to the youngster, despite being early on in his short career. Humphreys travelled with the Citizens first-team squad on their pre-season tour to Australia, where he came face-to-face with Real Madrid’s fearsome attacking trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.
“That did not feel real, it was almost like a dream. They are so fast, but they think so fast as well. When they get the ball you have to be sharp otherwise they can just ruin you. It was a fantastic experience though.”
Team-mate Wood is also eager to get involved in the action after being an unused sub in England’s opening two matches of the competition - a 1-1 draw with Guinea followed by a 1-0 defeat to Brazil.
Marcus Wood wins a header against Chile a fortnight ago
Though he has had a lack of match action, Wood is enjoying the experience of his first big international tournament.
“I wish I could’ve played some part in the two matches so far, but it’s just hasn’t come yet. I have to be patient, focused and wait for my turn, then if I do get a chance I have to do the best I can,” said the midfielder.
“I’m definitely raring to go – I’ve been ready since the start. I’m itching to get on and show what I can do.
“It’s been good so far, despite the results and conditions. It’s hot out here, which is obviously different from England, but it’s been good. We are facing a different type of player and football out here, so that’s good for all of our development.”
And discussing what he can bring to the table should he be selected on Friday, Wood added: “I don’t get many goals, I normally just sit in front of the back four and protect them. I look to play forward and try to get our creative players on the ball, that’s more my job,” said the 17-year-old.
“But tournaments and games like this can sometimes throw up an unlikely hero and I think we all dream that it could be us.
“Firstly, though, if I’m given the chance I just have to go on and do my job. If I can get a goal then that will be a bonus, but I don’t care who scores the winner - as long as we get to stay out here.”
England face South Korea on Friday at 9pm, live on Eurosport 2.
