STEWART Downing achieved one lifetime ambition by scoring a match-winning double for England's B team last Friday - now the Middlesbrough winger wants to realise another by scoring his first senior goal at Wembley in four days time.
Downing was England's stand-out performer in Friday's 3-1 win over Albania, silencing the majority of his critics with an eye-catching attacking display that culminated in his first international goals since he graduated from the nation's youth ranks.
His Turf Moor heroics secured him a place in Steve McClaren's senior squad for this week's friendly with Brazil and, despite the presence of left-wing rival Joe Cole, the 22-year-old is expected to make a maiden appearance at the new Wembley at some stage as England step up their preparations for next week's European Championships qualifier in Estonia.
Downing never played at the old Wembley, although he was sitting in the stands as Boro lost the 1997 FA Cup final to Chelsea.
And as he prepares to return to the home of English football, the Teessider hopes to cap a memorable week with another performance to remember.
"It would be brilliant to play at Wembley, absolutely brilliant," said Downing, who has made 12 senior appearances for his country since making his international debut against Holland in February 2005.
"Playing for England has been amazing, but playing for England at Wembley would be a dream come true. Scoring would be even better.
"I wanted to get onto the field on Friday so that I could show the manager what I could do and hopefully get a run-out at Wembley. I was pleased with the way it went and delighted with my two goals. Hopefully, I've done enough to give the manager a bit of a problem in terms of his team for Friday."
Last Friday's display continued an international rehabilitation that has been gathering momentum since Downing was booed by England supporters during last October's Euro 2008 qualifiers with Macedonia and Croatia.
Despite other players performing as poorly as the left winger, Downing was singled out by supporters who regarded him as a stooge of McClaren, his former manager at club level.
Such accusations could not have been wider of the mark, as Downing and McClaren clashed repeatedly towards the end of the latter's Riverside reign, but the former has still been forced to deal with the criticisms of an accusatory public.
Initially, he struggled to do so, but with the help of his current club manager, Gareth Southgate, he successfully rediscovered his form in the second half of last season.
Southgate knows all about shrugging off criticism as he was forced to deal with the fall-out from his critical penalty miss in the Euro '96 semi-final, and Downing has been quick to thank the Boro manager for his help and support.
"Gareth's been fantastic for me," he said. "He's available all the time and he's always willing to talk. He's a top manager and he helps in the hard times.
"He went through an awful lot of stick in his time, but he came through it. Everyone remembers all the Euro 96 stuff, but that made him a stronger footballer. He got a lot more stick than I did, but he dealt with it and moved on.
"Stick happens. Everyone gets it. Peter Crouch got it, but he came through the other side by putting in good performances. That's what I have to do as well."
Lucas Neill will attempt to persuade Mark Viduka to sign for West Ham when he meets the Middlesbrough striker in Australia this week.
Viduka, who is due to become a free agent at the end of next month, is mulling over competing contract offers from both his current employers and the Hammers.
Southgate remains hopeful that the striker will remain in the North-East but, when the Australia squad convene ahead of Saturday's friendly with Uruguay, Neill will be urging him to move to Upton Park instead.
"I haven't spoken to Dukes yet," said the West Ham full-back. "But I will be. I'd love him (to come to West Ham). I know him inside and out, but defenders hate him. I hope he doesn't stay at Boro, but I know he's a man in demand.
"We're talking to Dukes and I'll help him make that decision, but I can't force it. This is probably his last playing contract, so he's deciding where he'll finish his career."
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