Alvin Martin has urged West Ham United's band of England internationals to do everything they can to be part of Fabio Capello's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad.
Capello will name his squad for the vital qualifier against Croatia following this weekend's Barclays Premier League trip to Blackburn Rovers, with Hammers trio Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole all hopeful of being involved.
Should England beat former West Ham defender Slaven Bilic's side at Wembley on Wednesday 9 September, they will reach next summer's finals in South Africa.
Hammers legend Martin earned 17 England caps between 1980 and 1986, appearing in the 1986 World Cup second round win over Paraguay in Mexico.
The central defender, who amassed 586 appearances for the club, said international success at next year's World Cup finals would be the highlight of a player's career, and urged to Green, Upson and Cole to grasp the opportunity to shine.
"I had 22 years as a club player at West Ham, but people around the country will always recognise you more for your international experiences.
"I had the experience of playing at the World Cup in 1986, which I shall never forget. Sir Bobby Robson picked me against Paraguay in the second round and then left me out against Argentina in the quarter-finals. I still look back and wonder why I was dropped, but Maradona would have done the same to me as he did to the other defenders that day!"
England will prepare for the visit of Croatia - who they beat 4-1 in the reverse fixture in Zagreb a year ago - by hosting Slovenia a week on Saturday.
Green has started each of England's last three matches, while Cole was an impressive substitute in the 2-2 draw in The Netherlands earlier this month. Upson, meanwhile, has been a regular member of Capello's squads since the Italian took charge in February 2008.