CHIPPENHAM Town midfielder Ellis Wilmot will not be involved in their opening day clash at league favourites Nuneaton Borough.

Instead he will instead be in South Korea proudly pulling on the jersey of the Great Britain University team.

The 23-year-old, who signed for Tommy Saunders' side from Mangotsfield in the close season, successfully won a place in the 20-man GB squad for next month's World Student Games.

He missed Chippenham's pre-season friendly with Calne Town two weeks ago to attend the final squad trials at Lilleshall and was overjoyed when he received a phone call the following week to confirm his place on the plane to South Korea.

Wilmot also went to the World Student Games in China two years ago, but was disappointed to only be used as a squad member as Great Britain came seventh out of the 16 teams. This time he hopes to feature in the starting 11 and can not wait to play in some of the stadiums that were used in the 2002 football World Cup.

"It was a fantastic experience going to China and I'm really excited about this trip," Wilmot said.

"Everyone is saying it is still buzzing out there on the back of the World Cup and hopefully we will be able to play in front of some big crowds in some great stadiums."

Wilmot first worked his way into Bath University's football team before he was encouraged to force his way into the England University football set-up.

After cementing his place there he went for trials with the Great Britain University team and made to the 2001 World Student Games.

The British team, who depart for South Korea on August 11, will play a minimum of six matches during the three week event and have been drawn to face teams including Ukraine and Mexico in the group stage.

"We've got tough group but hopefully we can do well," added the midfielder. "Two years ago we came seventh so hopefully this time we can at least come in the top two in the group to make sure we go through to the last eight.

"We don't really want to be involved in the nine to 16 place play-offs."

Wilmot has already linked up with his team-mates, who also fellow Bath University graduate and Forest Green Rovers' player Kevin Langan, for a friendly with West Ham team yesterday.

They will also play against a Charlton Athletic XI on Saturday and a Sheffield United XI next Wednesday in a bid to familiarise themselves with each other.

Wilmot added: "Some of the lads are a little bit older than me but they all play in the Conference or in the equivalent leagues to Chippenham across Britain.

"I am disappointed I will miss the first five or six matches for Chippenham this season but Tommy Saunders is very supportive of me.

"Hopefully playing in this tournament will boost my fitness and help me go on to have a good season with Chippenham."

Saunders said: "I'm not sure if Ellis becomes our first international player while playing for Chippenham, but it's a great achievement for him and although he will miss the first month of the season I wish him well."