A TEENAGER is hoping to impress England football bosses next month and win her second cap.

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

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

Carly is hoping to retain the goalkeeping spot after she played for the side in a friendly against France in Paris last year.

She said: "The weather was not very good, but it was all very exciting.

"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 career as a goalkeeper began by accident. She began playing aged seven as an outfield player and captained the team at Shield Row Primary School.

Then, aged 11, she attended trials for a team in Chester-le-Street wearing a goalkeeper's jersey and the coaches automatically put her in goal. She discovered a talent for the role and has played in goal ever since.

The Tanfield Comprehensive School pupil is reserve keeper for Sunderland AFCW Under-19s team, training twice a week and playing matches on Sundays. She also plays for Durham County Under-16s