Gareth Barry looks set to keep his place anchoring England's midfield in Wednesday evening's crunch World Cup qualification encounter with Croatia in Zagreb.
Barry, who passed and probed from deep with little joy during Saturday's abject two nil victory over Andorra must realise that he and midfield partner Frank Lampard face an altogether different proposition when they take on Slaven Bilic's in-form team.
In a game being billed as a revenge mission, with the memory of Croatia's two damning victories over England in the 2008 European Championship qualification campaign still very raw, the Villa number six will have a major point to prove of his own.
Barry was ignored for the game in Zagreb and then ignominiously withdrawn at half-time in the return fixture at the new Wembley stadium last November.
Bending
The dynamic midfielder, who spoke of his desire to win every single game he plays in prior to the victory over Andorra, must positively itching to put in a good performance and help England to the three points.
He will also be aiming to show why he should have been given more of a chance last time out.
The Holte End favourite will have the added advantage of being able to concentrate solely on the job in hand without the distraction of the injured Steven Gerrard bending his ear about how lovely and wonderful everything is at Anfield.
Then it's back to Bodymoor Heath for Barry to prepare for Monday night's Premier League fixture at Tottenham.
Well, Good luck Gareth, play well, bring back another three points and don't get injured. Funny, I can hear Martin O'Neill echoing those exact words.
Barry on revenge mission
By Eoin Manning