'Heroes arrive later so you must be ready,' says Eric Steele

Vastly-experienced goalkeeper coach Eric Steele has one message for the three England U17s stoppers - “heroes don’t arrive in the first game.”

The man who had keepers such as Edwin van der Sar and Ben Foster under his tutelage at Manchester United, is working with the Young Lions squad in Chile preparing for Saturday’s FIFA Under-17s World Cup kick off.

Paul Woolston, Will Huffer and Alfie Whiteman are the three players vying for the no1 spot against Guinea but, whoever is given the nod, Steele will be reminding all of them of their importance to the team.

“I’ve always said, in both club and international football, that your no3 keeper can be your no1. Be it through an injury or red card, within a game things can change dramatically,” he told TheFA.com at the squad’s base in La Serena on the west coast of Chile.

“We didn’t expect to be down to two when Paul got a little knock and we didn’t want to risk him in our friendly against Chile last week, so the other two got a chance to show what they can do.

“That just shows you that you do need three keepers and that if you are not ready and prepared then you will get punished.

“The worst thing that can happen at younger age groups now is that they don’t value the fact they have to be ready when they are called up. 

"That’s the message we are trying to drum into them all – ‘You might not be in the first eleven, but heroes don’t normally arrive until later on. Make sure you’re ready and prepared for it to be you’.”

The opportunity to represent your country at a World Cup should not be taken lightly says Steele.

Experiences of being involved in the squad, playing in front of large South American crowds, can only benefit the players according to the former Newcastle, Peterborough, Brighton, Watford and Derby man.

Having been a part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s backroom staff from 2008 to 2013, Steele has experienced a number of high-profile matches including the 2011 Champions League Final when Manchester United met Barcelona.

Eric Steele coached Edwin van der Saar during his time at Manchester United

And he using every ounce of his knowledge to ensure England’s keepers, and the squad, remain focused on success as a group on the biggest stage of their young careers.

“I tend to look at the experience they can get at top level football, and at their present age group, they can’t get any higher than what they are doing. They can’t go back to their club and play at this level,” he said.

“The nearer we get to the games I’m trying to pass my experience on that I’ve gained from being in Europe with Manchester United and Aston Villa.

“It’s a different type of football and tournaments are all about not peaking in the first game, it’s about peaking throughout the course of the tournament.”

He continued: “You have to keep everybody together collectively and the squad that’s been picked has already shown terrific spirit in the build-up games we’ve had.

“Obviously some lads will be disappointed when the team is announced for Saturday, but with the experience we have on the staff we can nurse and help them - these kids are ready.

“They play big games in big stadiums back home, some of the Youth Cup games are played at the club’s ground, so I think they’ll be used to that.”

And it is not only the youngsters who are relishing their time in Chile.

Eric Steele and his keepers at the top of The Costanera Center Torre in Santiago

Despite helping United to numerous honours during his five years at Old Trafford, working for England at the World Cup is something Steele holds very dear to his heart.

“As a young lad growing up in Newcastle I remember watching the 1966 World Cup, but I’ve only ever watched them from home.

“I’ve experienced European competition at club level but in all the time that I’ve worked with the England teams I’ve never been to something as higher status as this. It’s a whole new experience,” he added.

“I’ve obviously done this sort of work before, but it kicks in how big this is when you land and you have preparation in Santiago, and then when you get to see the stadium. You then hear there’s going to be eight or nine thousand people for the game.

“That’s unbelievable really when you think that this country has already had the Copa America and now they are revising their interest for this tournament. 

"It’s a football-mad nation and I’m honoured to be here. Hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves.”

England begin their World Cup campaign against Guinea on Saturday at 8pm live on Eurosport 2.

Follow @England on Twitter for updates from the camp in South America.