RYAN Ledson has taken a special interest in England’s progress to the Under-17 World Cup final this week and has a simple piece of advice for the rising stars – find first-team football as quickly as possible.

The Oxford United midfielder won caps for his country at every age group from Under 16 all the way to Under 20, who won their World Cup this summer.

It is a feat the Under 17s will attempt to match against Spain in Kolkata tomorrow, having beaten Brazil 3-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final.

A knee problem prevented Ledson from being part of the victorious Under 20 squad, but he offers an example of what can be achieved by the country’s brightest young talents.

While many in his age group have found chances limited at their Premier League clubs, Ledson went on loan to Cambridge United, before moving to the U’s last year.

It means tomorrow’s game at Fleetwood Town will be his 77th competitive game, aged just 20.

He said: “The under 17s are doing brilliantly and my age group have as well.

“I think you need to give kids the chance, throwing them out of their comfort zone and getting them in front of crowds.

“They will soon grow up.

“I think I’ve made the right choice – I’ve come to Oxford and played as many games as anyone my age.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity Oxford have given me to do that.

“I think for any young lad they should go out and play.”

Today’s Sky Bet League One game at Highbury is 20 miles up the coast from Haig Avenue, where Ledson played regularly for Everton’s under 23 side.

For the combative midfielder, the difference could not be more stark.

He said: “I used to play at Southport and there used to be 50 people there.

“I can’t put into words how important it is to go out and play a real football game in front of real fans on a Saturday at 3pm.

“For me, there’s honestly no better feeling than waking up on a Saturday and thinking ‘we’ve got a game today’.”

Fronting up when points are on the line is all part of the learning process.

Ledson relishes the challenge, which means while his penalty was saved in last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Rotherham United, there is no doubt who is taking the next one.

“Me,” he said.

“The lads have tried to give me a bit of banter about it and I expected that.

“But people know what I’m like, I’m not going to shy away from the opportunity and hopefully I’ll stick the next one away.

“It doesn’t bother me.

“Obviously I’m disappointed not to put it away, but when it happens it’s gone.

“You need to focus on your next pass, so you’ve got to blank it out.”