Malaysia Under-23 head coach Ong Kim Swee insists that selection for the AFC U23 Championship in January will be based on merit, and not experience.
Ong has called up seven players who have turned out for the senior team to his provisional 30-man squad.
But he stresses that attitude will be more important than reputation when he confirms the names that make the cut for the trip to China.
Competition for places is strong in a team who have strung together some impressive performances in 2017 to claim the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games silver medal in August after qualifying for the AFC showcase the month before. At the same time, Nelo Vinagada's senior team have failed to win a game, losing six of seven matches in 2017.
Pahang full-back Matthew Davies has been a regular in the senior squad for two years, while 20-year-old Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) striker Safawi Rasid scored both Malaysia's goals in their recent AFC Asian Cup qualifying defeats to North Korea.
Syamer Kutty Abba, Adam Nor Azlin, Ahmad Khairil Anuar Zamri, and Syafiq Ahmad all earned their first caps against the North Koreans earlier this month. Kelantan goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed won his one and only cap against Palestine back in 2013 when he was just 17.
"Of course, their experience of playing for the national team will useful to us," Ong told The New Straits Times as the squad met up for a training camp.
"But even if you have that experience, without a positive attitude it won't be of any use.
"It does not matter whether they are national senior team members or not, it does not mean they will be automatically included.
"They must still prove themselves like everybody else. This is the highest level of Asian youth football so they must show a positive attitude and want to perform at their best. That is my main criteria."
The Young Tigers begin their campaign in China against Iraq on Jan. 10 and complete the group stage with games against Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
It is a tough draw that will require big performances if Malaysia are to make an impression in the tournament. But Ong has fired out a warning shot to any players who believe that experience in the senior side makes them automatic picks.