A "MATURING" Will Hughes will be hoping for the chance to help England qualify for the Under-21 European Championships over the next few days.
The Derby County starlet is in the squad to face Croatia in a two-leg play-off for a place at next summer's finals in the Czech Republic.
The first leg takes place at Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux stadium tonight (5.45pm).
The return leg will be played at the home of HNK Cibalia in Vinkovci on Tuesday (5pm).
Hughes, still only 19, recently passed 100 appearances for the Rams.
He has nine under-21 caps to his name since his debut in November 2012, scoring once, and has a 100% winning record.
The teenager started the final qualifying group match, a 3-0 win in Moldova last month, in a midfield also featuring former Derby loanee Tom Carroll and Jake Forster-Caskey, son of ex-Ilkeston assistant boss Darren Caskey.
With midfield duo James Ward-Prowse and Nathaniel Chalobah both ruled out of the Croatia tie by injury, Hughes will be looking to retain his place in Gareth Southgate's side.
"Will is a classic example of a player who was moved up perhaps a little bit early," Southgate told the Derby Telegraph.
"We didn't really play him so much in September, October and November of last year but the decision had already been taken that he was with the under-21 group.
"At that time, Nigel (Clough) was in charge and was happy for him to be with us and train with us, even if it didn't mean he was always going to start, because he was getting enough football with Derby.
"He was one who was almost playing too much, so to be with us and to train at our level was good but it wasn't always a problem for Nigel if he didn't play.
"He's clearly maturing as he's gone on. He's played in a Championship play-off final, so he's played in some big matches already with Derby.
"He's a super player – technically very good.
"One of the things for us to work on with him is tactical awareness and a match like this is great, because things like transitions and the threat of the counter attack, which a team like Croatia pose, are the types of things he's now got to experience and add to his game.
"We're really excited by him and, like all of the squad, he's a very grounded boy.
"They take on board ideas really quickly as a group. I'm really impressed with that."
Southgate is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding team selection but added: "There's definitely good competition for places in midfield.
"We were without Ward-Prowse and Chalobah for the game in Moldova last month but the three boys who played (Hughes, Carroll and Forster-Caskey) did really, really well.
"They kept the ball really well and they are all technically very good footballers.
"That's how we want to play and they fit that profile."
Southgate's squad also includes Derby-born defender Jamaal Lascelles, plus Patrick Bamford and Michael Keane, who had loan spells with the Rams last season.
Manchester United's £30m summer signing Luke Shaw is also part of the group, having dropped down from the senior set-up.
The under-21s, who have been training at St George's Park near Burton, won nine of their 10 group qualifiers on their way to topping the table.
Now, Southgate hopes his youngsters can pass the test provided by Croatia.
"The group have risen to every challenge put in front of them in the past year," said the former England defender.
"They've worked really well together, played some exciting football and learned an awful lot.
"The group dynamic has changed over the course of the campaign, as often happens at this level, but we've always kept the squad involved and given everyone matches throughout.
"Nobody is left kicking their heels. There are always opportunities.
"We made changes in the last game against Moldova and that will benefit us on Friday.
"They are a pleasure to work with and I'm looking forward to seeing them play.
"We've got good footballers who like to pass the ball.
"It's just a case of producing that in a slightly higher profile game now.
"But whatever happens, this has been a great year of progress for the team."
