If that means upsetting some of the international youth tournament's big guns along the way then that will be an added bonus!

Wilson, who made 24 international appearances, took over at Hartlepool two years ago and although he was unable to prevent relegation to League Two along with MK Dons, the club he previously managed, the Wigan-born boss brought them back up.

Hartlepool will debut at the Milk Cup in the Premier competition where the English charge for honours will be led by perennial favourites Manchester United with Jim Magilton's Ipswich Town, Watford and Sheffield United all returning too.

"This will be a great yardstick for our young players," says Wilson who has also had managerial stints at Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City.

"Our youth team have done well this year, reaching the Northern final of the Youth Alliance Cup where they are due to face Hull City and they are also doing well in the league.

"It will be useful to have the players just below that level competing against a high standard at the Milk Cup which has a tremendous reputation."

As a player, Wilson won the League Cup with both Luton Town in 1988 and Sheffield Wednesday in 1991. His equaliser for Luton against Arsenal in the 1988 final is arguably the most famous match-saving goal in the club's history.

His international career spanned almost seven years from 1986 to 1992 and the midfielder scored once in a 1-1 draw with Poland in a Windsor Park friendly 20 years ago.

Scottish Cup finalists Queen of the South have also confirmed their entry in the Junior section, while Hearts, twice winners of the Premier crown, will once again command considerable support from their enthusiastic local fan base.

With the draw approaching at W5 in Belfast's Odyssey complex on Tuesday, May 13, Milk Cup public relations officer Jim Sandford says the line up is virtually complete.

"At this stage we have finalised the entry list although there are always one or two matters that require fine tuning.

"It is always a priority to encourage new entrants and Hartlepool United are keen to expand the opportunities they offer their youth players."

However, Milk Cup officials are uncertain if Wilson will be available to put in an appearance at the event which runs from Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1.