Martin O'Neill has urged Aston Villa winger Ashley Young not to be overawed when he joins up with England as he looks to stake a late claim to be part of Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.
Capello saw Young turn in an outstanding performance for Villa during Saturday's exciting 2-2 Premier League home draw with Wolves. The former Watford player set up the first of John Carew's two goals and delivered a constant stream of menacing crosses throughout the 90 minutes.
O'Neill is aware of the perception the normally confident and bubbly Young goes into his shell when he has joined up with his country. But he has told him to go and reproduce his club performances with Capello having made it clear he selects players who are in form.
O'Neill said: "Does Young lack a bit of confidence when with England? He might do. I don't know that. That is something that seems to be on the rumour mill, that he doesn't exude the same self confidence.
"If that is the case, I understand that. Sometimes you get someone believing in you, which I do with Ashley Young who is naturally vibrant.
"But sometimes when they go away and are mixing with a group of other people, sometimes you don't want to be the same character because you think of all those great players England possess who have been there and done it.
"There is a tendency to be a wee bit quiet but it doesn't mean you should desert your own character. Ashley doesn't have to go and show off with England. All he has to do is go in and perform in the manner he has for his club because that is what Mr Capello is doing, picking players on club form.''
Meanwhile, Sunderland striker Darren Bent is hoping his two-goal display against Birmingham on Saturday will help convince Capello he is worth a place in the squad. Bent has now scored 20 goals in the league this season but is far from a regular presence in the England squad.
"Of course every player wants to go to a World Cup, but at the same time, it is not up to me, really," Bent said. "All I have got to do is keep knocking them in and just go from there.
"It would be nice. Every time I score a goal, I get asked the question about England, but the only thing I can do is just keep doing what I am doing, keep performing well and keep playing well. Obviously if I go, I will be delighted and if I don't get picked, I have done myself no harm by scoring the goals I have."
