YOUNGSTER James Constable has been selected to play for England Colleges on a tour of the USA.

The 18-year-old striker, who lives in Malmesbury, is one of only 18 players selected for the tour after four gruelling trials at the Lilleshaw National Training centre before Christmas and three games for the England Colleges side since then.

The Cirencester youth academy player notched up his first goal for the college's team in a 2-1 win against Wales in Llaneli last month and has also played against Northern Ireland and English Universities.

Constable of Holford Rise, hopes to play for Tottenham Hotspur one day and sees the USA tour as the first small step on his way.

"I am quite proud. I think they are going to be good. They will be adapted to the weather and the ground is going to be quite different from over here."

He has been playing for the Cirencester Academy since last June after finishing at Malmesbury School.

The academy is the only football school providing football training and the opportunity to go to Cirencester College to study.

As part of his two-year course he studies Sports Science at college in the morning and then has football training in the afternoon, from Tuesday to Friday. He also trains youngsters in Cirencester schools to pay his way.

Constable aslo played for Wiltshire U18s on their run to the FA County Youth Cup quarter-finals.

Proud mum Mandy Constable, 41, said her son deserved his success.

She said: "He has always wanted to play football since he started at six-years-old.

"He is very serious and dedicated about playing, he doesn't go out drinking, football is his life."