Swindon youngster Lee Stevens has been included in the England Schools' Under 18 soccer squad to play Northern Ireland at Forest Green Rovers tomorrow.

The 18-year-old central defender is a student at the Cirencester Academy and after trial games for the South West of England and soccer weekends at Millfield and Lilleshall he was finally selected for the 16-strong England squad.

Lee, who lives in Vicarage Road, Cheney Manor, had schoolboy trials with several league clubs, including Southampton and Swindon, but on leaving school he joined the Cirencester Academy.

The talented all-rounder, equally at home on a cricket field, is now hoping tomorrow's match at The Lawn can provide something of a shop window.

"Obviously I would like to be a professional footballer," he said.

"That is my ambition and hopefully there will be a few scouts about at Forest Green, you never know.

"I have been lucky enough to secure a four-year scholarship in America later in the year but should I be lucky enough to be taken on by a league club I would stay in England.

"Also I will be in the England School squad to travel to China for an under 18 game in July."

It's a busy week for the talented youngster, who also had trials with Hampshire County Cricket Club earlier in the week.

A right arm off-spinner for Wootton Bassett, Lee has represented Wiltshire at several age levels over the past few seasons and turned out for the Wiltshire senior side's second team last year.

"I know one day I may have to choose between the two sports and I would have to come down on the side of soccer."

A long-time Liverpool fan, Lee said he visited the County Ground on occasions but his first love was Liverpool and his favourite player Teddy Sheringham.

And the young soccer star can expect plenty of encouragement at home.

His father Andy played and managed Devizes Town for several seasons and was skipper of the GWR cricket team before they were forced off their Shrivenham Road ground.

His proud father said: "I don't want to sound biased but I think Lee has worked hard to get as far as he has.

"And to get up another rung of the ladder sometimes you just need a lucky break.

" I'm sure he won't let the side down on Friday."