England coach Steve McClaren is confident Aaron Lennon has the experience to handle the pressure of next week's crucial Euro 2008 clash with Israel.
Lennon is tipped to fill the problematic left-sided midfield berth when England head to Tel Aviv looking to revive their hopes of reaching next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland.
McClaren has earmarked Lennon for a starring role in his new-look squad ever since the Tottenham man sparkled on the World Cup stage in Germany.
Unfortunately, illness and injury have limited the 19-year-old to just three substitute appearances for his country since McClaren succeeded Sven-Goran Eriksson as coach.
But now, if a knock to the knee suffered in Spurs' UEFA Cup win over Braga on Wednesday night - which was due to be assessed on Thursday morning - does not prove serious, McClaren is ready to let Lennon loose.
England need at least a draw in Israel to maintain a realistic hope of qualifying and McClaren is convinced the Leeds-born star has the ability to cause problems to the most solid of defences.
"Aaron came into the World Cup squad and excited us from day one," said McClaren.
"He still has a long way to go but he has a lot of potential and we expected to see a lot more of him this season than we actually have because of illness and injuries.
"We need experience in this game but he has been to a World Cup, so I have no hesitation putting him into my squad."
With Steven Gerrard set to be named on the right of a four-man midfield which will feature Owen Hargreaves and Frank Lampard in the middle, England's engine room looks strong.
McClaren does have problems in front and at the back though.
Jamie Carragher is favoured to win the battle with Phil Neville for the left-back slot, while Preston's David Nugent has been earmarked for a call-up should the 23-man England squad that will be named on Friday suffer any withdrawals in the striking department.
With up to a dozen players duo to feature in FA Cup replays on Monday, McClaren's preparation is hardly ideal for such a key game.
But he has called on his players to show the traditional English bulldog spirit as they attempt to safeguard their place in the competition.
"It is when our backs are against the wall that the big players have to step forward," he said.
"I have been involved with this squad for five years now and we have had bad results in every qualification, which have raised doubts about reaching the finals of major tournaments.
"The key thing is to remain relaxed and not worry about it. We need the players to go out with an aggressive, positive attitude.
"We have done it before. We are good enough to do it again."
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