Carl Jenkinson has insisted that his Arsenal teammates Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can have a "big impact" on the World Cup with England this summer.
The duo's participation in Brazil had been thrown into doubt over recent weeks because of fitness concerns, but both were included in the 23-man squad by Roy Hodgson on Monday afternoon.
However, despite the reported uncertainty over their involvement, Jenkinson has told Sports Mole that the midfield pairing can now go on to play a major role for the Three Lions.
"I'm over the moon for them. It's a World Cup and a World Cup in Brazil - that's fantastic for them. They are both young players, but not just fringe players because they are important parts of that squad. Hopefully they will have a good tournament," said the right-back.
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"Anyone that has seen them play this season can see the calibre of player that they both are. They are two of the very best that this country has to offer. Undoubtedly, they can have a big impact out there, which isn't putting any pressure on them because they know what they are capable of. There is no better stage for them than the World Cup."
While there was space for Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain on the plane, experienced players such as Ashley Cole and Michael Carrick were left out, with Hodgson instead having opted for the youth of Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley.
Although Jenkinson has conceded that it is a "brave" decision from the England manager, he believes that those that made the cut are there on merit.
"Roy Hodgson has picked players on form and not on reputation. The players that are in the squad have been performing the best this season, which is a testament to [Hodgson]. It's brave of him to do that because it's not easy when you've got good experienced players around," he added.
"These players have been performing week in and week out, though, so they deserve to be in there. The younger players like Luke Shaw, who I've played with many times, and the boys I know from Arsenal - it's a massive chance for them."
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On a personal level, having committed his international future to England following a stint representing Finland - the country of his mother's birth - at youth level, Jenkinson went on to make his senior debut in a friendly against Sweden in November 2012.
He has since established himself as a part of Gareth Southgate's Under-21 side, who are unbeaten in their qualification group for the 2015 European Championships.
However, having seen a number of youngsters play their way into Hodgson's thinking of late, Jenkinson is hopeful that if he can force his way into the Arsenal starting lineup on a regular basis, he will be able to add to the one cap that he earned in Stockholm.
"[Hodgson picking younger players is] encouraging, but the difference between me and [players like] Luke Shaw is that they are playing regularly for their clubs and have had that opportunity to play week in and week out. That's important and what you need as a youngster and is something that I'm striving for at the moment. Once I master that, other things will come good for me."
Carl Jenkinson, the England Under-21 international, was speaking from Drive Vauxhall, Bury St Edmunds, where he presented local football teams with their kit on behalf of the Vauxhall Youth Programme.
Liam Apicella
