A TEENAGE girl is hoping to impress England football bosses next month and win her second cap for her country.

Carly Telford, 15, of Newburn Road, Stanley, will join up with the England Under-17s girls squad for training in February.

If she impresses, Carly will win a place in the side that will travel to the USA at Easter for a major international tournament.

The youngster is hoping to retain the number one goalkeeping jersey after she played between the posts for the side in a friendly against France in Paris last year.

"The weather wasn't very good, but it was all very exciting," she said.

"I was so proud when I stood in the stadium with the rest of the team and the national anthem played."

Although the team lost, bosses were sufficiently impressed to invite her back for training.

Her manager and coaches regularly keep in touch with advice on fitness, training and nutrition.

Her career between the posts began by accident. She began playing at the age of seven as an outfield player and captained the team at Shield Row Primary School.

Then, aged 11, she turned up for trials for a team in Chester-le-Street wearing a goalkeeper's jersey and the coaches automatically stuck her in goal.

She discovered a talent for shot-stopping and has played in goal ever since.

The Tanfield Comprehensive School pupil is reserve goalkeeper for Sunderland AFCW Under-19s team, training twice a week and playing matches on Sundays.

She is also first choice keeper for Durham County Under-16s.

Her father, goalkeeping coach Colin and mum Yvonne, have plenty to be proud of - Carly's brother, John Paul, plays football for Derwentside District, and her younger sister, Georgia, 12, is to have trials for Chester-le-Street Swimming Club.