Jack Collison is fired up for a major international meeting with Sweden on Wednesday calling it a "great opportunity" to prepare for UEFA Euro 2012 qualification.
The Welsh may not have qualified for this summer's FIFA World Cup but they know there is the incentive of the European Championship to look forward to - and the small matter of a qualifying group featuring England. Collison revealed he has already been looking forward to that prospect with his Three Lions rivals back at Chadwell Heath.
"There is a lot of banter flying about," the 21-year-old midfielder said as he faced the media before the Swansea showdown with Sweden. "It is nice. England have got a World Cup to worry about but I am sure after the summer I am sure it is going to start again. It is a great opportunity on Wednesday.
"It was brilliant to draw England and we're all excited, it is a mouth-watering game. But we are not there to make up the numbers, we are to there to start showing we are good players and we can compete."
Collison, whose compatriot Danny Gabbidon has stayed behind at the club to work on his fitness, said a positive performance against the Swedes, who have won the last four meetings between the nations and never lost in five, would be a good step forward. The team has been shorn of Aaron Ramsey's services for at least six months but the Hammers youngster is not focusing on the negatives.
"We've a lot of a good young players who have come through together and there has been a lot of talk about this good group. It's about time to start showing it."