Joe Jacobson hopes his date with Theo Walcott helps put his name on the football map.

The Wales Under-21 skipper leads his country into their 100th international at this level on Thursday night at Wrexham against the might of England.

Cardiff-born Jacobson had a taste of the big time this season in Bristol Rovers' impressive FA Cup run, and he hopes the match is another step along the way to a top-level career.

Jacobson, 21, said: "This is important for me. A lot of the lads in the squad have played against Premier League players, or are there already, but not me.

"This is the sort of match I want to be playing in. I am looking forward to testing myself against the best English lads. As a full-back I could find myself up against Theo Walcott so that will be a challenge.

"I want to test myself against the best, there is no point just facing weaker players.

"I need to know how good I am and how much I need to improve. We are full of confidence, we have won five on the trot and we have a great bunch of lads playing first-team football."

Jacobson freely admits his thoughts have already turned to life after Rovers.

He added: "I left Cardiff City to play first-team football and I have done that at Rovers. I have played over 50 games this season and it has helped my development.

"If I can have another good season next time around, and that will take me to the end of my contract, it will put my name about.

"I don't know where this will take me. A lot of the lads in the Under-21s have made the jump to a higher level and I want that too.

"This game, I suppose, puts me in the shop window. If I can do well you never know what will happen.

"At the moment I am not pushing to get a new deal, all I am interested in is playing a lot of games and improving. If that means I get a new offer, that's fine, but I need the experience first.

"We had a good cup run and I have enjoyed the under-21s. It all helps me progress."

Under-21 boss Brian Flynn insists that although the match with England will be an excellent gauge of his team's progress, it is merely part of preparations for a crucial match at the start of next season.

He said: "This game is all about our next competitive match in August against Romania. If we win that then we know we will qualify from our UEFA championship group and go into the play-offs.

"I understand what people say that we could have our confidence knocked if we lose this one after building up such a head of steam in recent months, winning our last five.

"But I don't think it will. We have lost just two of our last 13 and I want strong opposition now because that is the only way we can develop. Having an easy friendly and a comfortable win will not help anyone now.

"Development is all about getting these lads into the senior squad. We have got an awful lot of lads through to that stage and this is just another step for the rest.

"We are able to give these lads the chance to play against top Premier League youngsters like Theo Walcott - that is a great incentive for them.

"We are delighted England will put out a strong side against us - winning and losing isn't the real point to this."

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