Jordan Henderson was ball boy the last time England played in Sunderland -- now the midfielder will strut his stuff in his hometown looking to prove his fitness ahead of Euro 2016.
Sunday's 2-1 win against Turkey at the Etihad Stadium was the Three Lions' first home match on the road since Wembley reopened in 2007.
England's road trip continues against Australia on Friday at the Stadium of Light, which plays host to the senior team for the third time.
Turkey were the opponents last time England played on Wearside in April 2003, when Henderson watched the 2-0 win from the side of the pitch as one of the ball boys.
"I was ball boy for the game,'' Sunderland-born Henderson said with a smile. "I can't remember much about it.
"I think [Darius] Vassell scored the first and [David] Beckham got the second. The atmosphere was brilliant, that is one thing that did stand out in my mind.
"I think it'll mean a lot. The people here are very passionate about football.
"I think the atmosphere in the last game here against Turkey was very good and we got a good result as well, so it was a good night overall.
"Hopefully it can be the same tomorrow but it means an awful lot, I am sure, to the people here to watch an England team perform hopefully and get a good result.''
After being with Sunderland from the age of seven to 20, Henderson made the move to Liverpool five years ago.
The 25-year-old endured a bumpy start but is now captain at Anfield, as well as an integral member of the England squad.
Henderson would be a shoo-in for the Euro 2016 squad had he not suffered a knee injury last month, but has managed two substitute appearances since recovering.
"I am still proving [my fitness],'' he said. "I still feel as though this week I trained well and I feel good.
"Getting some minutes at the weekend was a bonus for me really so I am hoping that can put us in good stead for the game tomorrow and hopefully get more minutes, get my match sharpness back, if you like, and hopefully keep progressing.
"Come the first game of the Euros, hopefully I am on that plane and ready to go.''
Henderson is one of five Liverpool players in the 26-man provisional squad named by Roy Hodgson, although there are concerns that number could be cut as Daniel Sturridge has a calf strain.
"He'll be disappointed,'' he said. "Obviously he'll want to be playing some part in the next couple of games before the tournament.
"He has just got to make sure he is doing everything he can to get fit. I am sure he will be and hopefully he can be involved in this game tomorrow, if not the game after that and play some part and show he is ready to go to the Euros.''
If Sturridge is unavailable on Friday then uncapped Marcus Rashford will start for England, just three months after the 18-year-old made his Manchester United debut.
"He is a great player with a lot of potential, but at the same time we've got to keep his feet on the floor and keep working hard, keep doing the things that he has done to get himself there,'' Henderson added.
"I am sure if he does that, we'll have a very, very big player on our hands.''