Walker hoping for England chance to play with his former Blades hero Jagielka

The pair could line up together for England in their World Cup qualifier with San Marino at a sold-out Wembley tomorrow.

But it is still rather difficult for Walker to get his head around the fact he is sharing the same Three Lions dressing room as Jagielka.

A lifelong Sheffield United fan, Walker grew up cheering the defender on from the Bramall Lane stands.

However, it is only now, with the 23-year-old on the brink of his first competitive international appearance, that Walker reveals Jagielka was one of his favourite players, and still wants to run after him.

“Phil Jagielka was a hero of mine,” said Walker.

“I didn’t have a poster of him in my room or anything. I wasn’t that bad.

“But I’ve never told him. I hope his head doesn’t grow too big but just to eat dinner with him is an honour for me.

“Sometimes he tries to go and get me some soup.

“Instinctively I say: ‘You can’t be getting me that. Let me get you some soup’.”

What the pair have chatted about is Jagielka’s wonder-goal against Leeds United at Bramall Lane in 2002, when the Hale-born defender took a clearance down on his chest and belted the ball in from 35 yards.

For Jagielka it is a career highlight. But Walker’s memories are just as vivid given he was sat in the Family Stand watching the action unfold.

“They put all the youth players in there and I was jumping up and down,” said Walker.

Yet that is not the only memory Jagielka provided Walker with.

For the Tottenham defender was also a ballboy the night Jagielka had to go in goal against Arsenal four years later, when Blades boss Neil Warnock found himself needing to make a change with no replacement on the bench.

“I was actually behind his net,” he said.

“He kept on telling me to slow down. I’ve certainly seen some sights with him.”

Although Walker’s place in the side to face San Marino is relatively secure given Glen Johnson is suspended, Jagielka must hope Hodgson keeps faith with him after a below-par performance against Ukraine last month.

The abrupt retirement of John Terry means there is a permanent place up for grabs, although Gary Cahill – himself born in Sheffield – will be eager to cement it after claiming a Champions League winner’s medal last season, only to miss Euro 2012 due to injury.

Walker’s toe problem prevented him heading to Poland and Ukraine, so he has some catching up to do.

However, for all the negatives in Ashley Cole’s character, Sheffield-born Walker believes he has the perfect example to follow in a man who has made 98 appearances for his country and could yet hit the century over the next few days.

“I try to be like a sponge with him, absorb everything he’s done and bring it into my game,” he said.

“Everything he’s achieved in the game is what I want to achieve because Ashley has been ridiculously good, and the stats show it.

“He wouldn’t get 100 caps if he wasn’t doing something right,” he said

Ninety thousand supporters tomorrow give the lie to the feeling this is a game that does not matter.

Opposition that might find it hard against a Conference outfit will not prevent an England victory.

But for Walker it is another step forward in a career that saw him crowned PFA Young Player of the Year last term, whilst also cementing his place in a Tottenham team now lying fifth in the Barclays Premier League under Andre Villas-Boas.

“Who wouldn’t be excited about this?” he said.

“I’m 22 and since the age of seven playing for England is all I’ve wanted to do.

“I won’t be treating this game any differently to Manchester United or Real Madrid. It doesn’t matter to me.

“It’s a new experience. But everyone wants to do well when they play against England and seems to turn it up that extra five or 10 per cent.”