TEENAGER Nathan Dyer is set to fulfil his childhood dream after being selected to represent England Under 18s in a friendly against Norway next month.

The Trowbridge youngster was called up by national chiefs after playing a starring role in Southampton's run to the FA Youth Cup final this season.

Dyer, 17, has been with the Saints since he was eight and is on the verge of a first team debut having been named in the squad for the first time for their recent premiership match against Norwich City.

The diminutive winger has been named in an 18-man squad for the friendly on June 10 at Port Vale's ground, Vale Park, and is hoping it is just the start of things to come.

He said: "It is very exciting. Ever since I can remember I have wanted to play for England and now finally all my hard work has paid off.

"I can remember watching the Victory Shield on the TV as a kid and I just wanted to be a part of it all. This is something I have always dreamed of.

"Hopefully I will do well, gain more experience in Southampton's first team and then maybe one day Sven will start looking at me for the senior England team."

Dyer first earned international recognition after impressing selectors in the FA Youth cup quarter-final win against West Ham at St Mary's Stadium last month.

He scored in a 4-1 win and went on to impress in the semi-final and the two-leg final, which they lost 1-0 to Ipswich Town

He said: "Just before the quarter-final I was told the England under 18s manager was coming to watch me so I knew I had to put in a good performance.

"There were a few nerves and a lot of things were running through my head but when I got out on the pitch I forgot about everything and just concentrated on what I am good at.

"I then got a letter through the post saying I had been called up for an England training camp. I could not believe it because I had been waiting so long for that moment."

Dyer attended the training camp last month with about 50 other hopefuls and when it was over he faced a nervous wait to see whether he had been successful.

He said: "At the end of it all we were told to go home and wait for a letter telling us whether we had made the squad or not.

"It was supposed to come on May 5 and when it did not arrive I began to think the worst.

"But it came the next day and when it said I made it, it was an unbelievable feeling.

"All the boys at Southampton were delighted for me and obviously so were my family.

"The worst bit is over now because I have shown I am good enough to get into the squad and so all I need to do now is play like I know I can."

Dyer was born in Trowbridge and attended Newtown Primary School, before moving to Winsley and going to St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon.

Four years ago Dyer's family moved back to Trowbridge.