Chuba Akpom says he cannot wait to step out in an England shirt a stone's throw from where he grew up.
Aidy Boothroyd's England Under-20s take on Mexico at The Hive, Barnet on Wednesday evening – an area the young striker knows well.
Born and raised in the Canning Town area of London, Akpom was snapped up by Arsenal at the age of six after scouts spotted him playing for his local side and he and his family moved north.
England v Mexico
U20 International Match
7.45pm, Wednesday 25 March 2015
The Hive, Barnet FC
Call 0208 381 3800 for tickets
Since then he has gone on to represent England throughout the age groups – amassing 34 caps at youth level – but has yet to turn out for the Young Lions in London.
"I grew up in east London, but I now live round the corner from The Hive – so to potentially be playing a game for England so locally is very exciting," said the 19-year-old.
"I'm really looking forward to it. All my mates and a lot of my family will be down to watch the game so it's going to be a great night.
"Over the past few years I've played lots of games for England around the country and abroad but never in London, so it's going to be a special game for me personally.
"We've got a few London boys in the squad so I'm sure everybody will be up for this one."
Akpom has impressed in his six England U20s outings to date.
His highlight came in the victorious Four Nations mini-tournament in Holland in October 2014.
His quickfire brace set the Young Lions on course to victory in the second fixture of the three-game tournament.
Chuba Akpom was at The Hive this month to take part in the Together For England Roadshow
With Boothroyd's boys trailing the hosts 2-1 going into the final minute, Akpom came off the bench to score in the 89th and 91st minutes to win the game.
A draw with Canada and a penalty shoot-out victory against Portugal followed the Four Nations success.
Now England take on strong opposition in Mexico, as manager Aidy Boothroyd's continues his programme to expand the Young Lions' development against opposition from outside Europe.
Following the encounter with Mexico at The Hive, they travel to Plymouth to face USA.
And Akpom says the experience of taking on opponents from another continent will be valuable for the young players' development.
“They'll be physically different, tactically different. It's up to us to learn quickly and adapt”
Chuba Akpom on England U20s North American opponents
"It will be another first for me, and I'm sure it will be the same for a lot of the other boys too," he added.
"I've certainly never played against Mexican or American opposition, so it will be a good opportunity to learn how players from that part of the world play.
"They'll be physically different, tactically different and it's up to us to learn quickly and adapt.
"It should be a great week."
England play Mexico at The Hive, Barnet at 7.45pm on Wednesday 25 March. Tickets are available and are priced at £3 for adults, £1.50 concessions.
Click here for more information on tickets and travel to The Hive
England Under-20s squad to face Mexico and USA
Goalkeepers: Christian Walton (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jordan Pickford (Sunderland)
Defenders: Dominic Iorfa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Moses Odubajo (Brentford), Dominic Ball (Cambridge United - loan from Spurs), Baily Cargill (AFC Bournemouth), Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jordan Turnbull (Swindon Town - loan from Southampton), Harry Toffolo (Swindon Town - loan from Norwich City)
Midfielders: Harrison Reed (Southampton), Jack Barmby (Leicester City), Jack Stephens (Swindon Town - loan from Southampton), Jamie Hanson (Derby County), Lewis Baker (MK Dons - loan from Chelsea), Matty Grimes (Swansea City), Ben Osborn (Nottingham Forest), Alex Mowatt (Leeds United), John Swift (Swindon Town - loan from Chelsea)
Forwards: Callum Robinson (Preston North End - loan from Aston Villa), Chuba Akpom (Arsenal), Kwame Thomas (Derby County), Chris Long (Brentford - loan from Everton)
