Northern Ireland striker Billy Kee will take promotion to the senior squad in his stride as they prepare to meet Slovakia in a vital World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old was in the Czech Republic this week with Steve Beaglehole's Under 21 side.
Kee has been loaned out to League Two side Accrington to gain experience after suffering a knee injury last season that curtailed his progress.
He was due to play for the under-21s against Iceland on Tuesday but has been called into the senior squad instead, as Kyle Lafferty may be sidelined with a knee injury.
Northern Ireland could go top of Group Three and under-21 manager Beaglehole said: "It is quiet unbelievable what is happening to Billy. It is the stuff you read about in comics - real Roy of the Rovers.
"A lot of the time you wonder if the fear factor will kick in when you promote a player.
"But Billy will be able to cope, no problem. If he was required in the game, it would not faze him."
Kee was part of the under-21 side that lost to the Czech Republic last week and Beaglehole added:
"Billy is an old-fashioned centre forward, who goes in where it hurts.
"If he has to lose a couple of teeth getting the ball, then so be it. The fact he is in the senior squad for such a big game is fantastic for him, Leicester and of course Accrington."
© Press Association