CHIPPENHAM schoolboy Yan Klukowski is refusing to let a change in tour venue dampen his spirits when he joins up with the England Schoolboys' squad.

The 18-year-old Sheldon School pupil and his team-mates had been due to fly out to Jamaica tomorrow, but the plans suffered a last minute hitch.

Klukowski said: "The Jamaican government pulled out of funding the trip so we are now going to Spain instead.

"We are leaving on Tuesday and will be playing two matches. We get to train at Valencia's ground and play their youth team as well as the equivalent Spanish schoolboys' side."

Midfielder Klukowski said he was not too disappointed to miss out on playing in the Caribbean. He believes the Spanish tour, which is followed by a series of home internationals, will help the players bond against tough opposition.

He said: "I'm just hoping that we can win both the games and be successful. It will be good for the lads to get together.

"There's been a few trials so we know each other from that. We also had a training weekend a couple of weeks ago."

After the Spanish tour the England under 18s side face Scotland away on February 24, Northern Ireland at home on March 4 and the Republic of Ireland away two weeks later. Finland on the Isle of Wight is next before the teenagers take on China in Shanghai on April 27.

Klukowski has never been to China, but his mind will be far from holidaying when he gets there. His skills have already impressed Bath City manager Gary Owers and he is setting his sights on the professional game.

He said: "Hopefully I can get some league clubs looking at me. It's just a case of playing well. I think everyone in the squad is going to get capped, but the manager is going to want to pick his strongest side and that is what I'm aiming for."

Klukowski is taking A-levels in physical education, psychology and geography and plans to go to university if he does not succeed in the professional game.

He became the first Wiltshire schoolboy to make the England squad since former Swindon Town and Everton striker Paul Rideout in 1980. His Wiltshire under 18 team-mates Jamie Lyons and Scott Lye, both of Corsham Town, made the last 32, but were edged out of the final squad.