After sampling international football for the first time in February, Callum Connolly is looking to thrive in the pressure-cooker of the Euro Elite Round qualifiers.
The Everton defender received his maiden England U17 call-up for the Algarve Tournament last month and went on to play a part in all three games.
His latest call-up represents a far tougher challenge than that faced previously in Portugal, and with European Championship qualification at stake in Czech Republic, Connolly is hoping to pass the tough test with flying colours.
Czech Republic v England
UEFA European U17 Championship
Elite Qualifying Round
4pm, Wednesday 26 March
Stonky, Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic
"I loved the Algarve Tournament,” he said.
“It was obviously my first call-up and to play three really top teams in Portugal, Holland and Germany was a great experience.
"I learnt a lot from that and testing myself against a better standard of player than I'm used to.
"I've played against top players with my club, but at international level you are up against a whole team full of top players.
"It's a much harder test but I've enjoyed every second of it."
John Peacock’s squad met up at St. George's Park on Friday for two days of preparation before flying out to Portugal on Monday afternoon.
And those few days together so far have allowed Connolly the opportunity to get to know the full squad even better - and he believes that will play a factor when facing the pressure out in Czech Republic.
The England U17s line-up to face Germany in the Algarve Tournament
He explained: "It's been very good for me and I've introduced myself and got to know some of the lads I didn't know.
"Ryan Ledson is a big character in the group, and I know him well from Everton, so he's been a big help.
"I've got to know Izzy Brown and Dom Solanke on this trip and the mood is good in the squad - we have developed a real togetherness."
And as the Evertonian prepares for Wednesday's first game against the host nation, he concluded: "Obviously I want to win every game and give a high level of performance, but I want to enjoy the opportunity of playing at this level.
"The importance of these matches is massive, and the pressure is so big, but we need to handle that, do the job and kick-on and qualify for the Euros."
England face Czech Republic at 4pm UK time on Wednesday.
