Veteran Republic of Ireland and Aston Villa defender Steve Staunton is hoping he has a role in the long-term plans of manager Graham Taylor.
Staunton (33) is aware Taylor is committed to giving his Villa side a more youthful look.
But Staunton, who will make his third appearance at a World Cup finals this summer in Korea and Japan, feels there needs to be a mixture of youth and experience.
He said: "I can only do what I can do when I am playing and it is down to the manager who plays. Your ideal team is plenty of youth and a few experienced lads just to keep things ticking along.
"Manchester United have been past masters of it. Everyone said they had a young team. If you look at the actual team they had five or six senior boys in the team and the rest of them were kids. So that is your ideal scenario," Staunton said.
"With the young lads at Villa being of international quality that only bodes well for the club in the future. I feel good. I said when I came back to the club that all I wanted was a chance and I have had that chance. I like to think that I have taken it".