Everton manager David Moyes has urged England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to leave Wayne Rooney out of the squad for the friendly in South Africa on May 22nd.
Teenage striker Rooney (17) has shot to stardom and played a key role in England's 2-0 win over Turkey in Wednesday's Euro 2004 qualifier at the Stadium of Light.
Moyes has shielded his star, limiting the number of first-team starts he gets for the Goodison Park side.
Eriksson threw Rooney on at the start against Turkey and has said it will be difficult to leave him out of future line-ups given his form.
However, Moyes expects his young forward to be given a break by the national coach.
"I would hope that England do not include Wayne in any end-of-season trips," Moyes told the Daily Mail. "What's the point in us trying to look after him if he's travelling away all over the world?
"It's not so much the extra games which are the worry but the length of time he is away. Sven has spoken to me a few times about him and I am sure he will understand the need to protect him, as we have done".