Sven-Goran Eriksson has admitted he will have no qualms about giving Wayne Rooney his competitive debut for England if he is needed during today's European Championship qualifier with minnows Liechtenstein in Vaduz.
Rooney is set to be named among the substitutes against the side ranked 151st in the world after impressing when he first wore his country's shirt in last month's friendly international with Australia at Upton Park during the second 45 minutes.
Eriksson will stick with the tried-and-tested Emile Heskey-Michael Owen combination as England look to close the gap on group leaders Turkey to two points ahead of their meeting at the Stadium Of Light on Wednesday.
But the Swede will have no fears if he has to call upon Rooney in the latter stages of the game to rescue a dicey situation, or alternatively has the luxury of blooding him when the outcome is sewn-up.
Eriksson said: "We all hope that Wayne Rooney will be a big, big player. I will be happy for him to come on if we need a striker.
"I like what I see in Wayne Rooney, although when you are only 17 things can happen very rapidly - being better, being worse, having problems, having no problems."
Heskey said: "He's brilliant and for a 17-year-old he's full of so much confidence. He is really special and with the confidence and ability he has got, he can only go forward.
"Already he's got a lot more about his game than a lot of people that I've seen. He is a class act already."
The day may come when Heskey finds himself under threat from the Everton player, although Eriksson is quick to stress they are not players of a similar ilk.
But for the time being Eriksson has complete faith in the Liverpool striker, even though his record for his country reads 31 games, four goals.
Eriksson said: "If you think about the World Cup, Emile Heskey did a very good job. He worked hard every game. His physical presence is important when we attack and when we defend many times he makes important clearances.
"If I find a striker better than Emile, with the same characteristics, then I shall play him and it would be the same with Michael Owen. But I don't think we have them at this moment.
PA