BUSTLING young centre-forward Kevin Kyle could find himself playing at international level for Scotland before he makes his full League debut for Sunderland.

New Scotland coach Berti Vogts will name his squad for a tour of the Far East later this week - and the 20-year-old is expected to be included after an impressive display in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week.

Kyle, who has made nine appearances as a substitute this season, admits he got a shock when he was called up for the game against Dundee United, won 2-0 by a Scottish select side.

Kyle, who played in the first 45 minutes as Vogts put together an experimental side, had to rely on a friend to discover he'd been picked.

He said: "I only found out I was in the squad when my mate rang from Scotland to say he'd seen it on Teletext. I got a letter the day after confirming my selection so I'll be watching out for it on teletex this week."

Although the public was not admitted to the game, Scottish journalists were invited - and most were impressed with the performance of the 6ft 3ins tall striker, who had loan spells last season with Huddersfield, Darlington and Rochdale and earned Scottish Under-21 recognition under previous boss Craig Brown.

Kyle said: "I played in the first half of the game and to be honest I think I could have played better.

"But the coaches were quite positive and Mr Vogts was kind when he was talking to me during the couple of days I was with the squad.

"The papers in Scotland said some nice things about me and I'll be a little disappointed now if I don't get in the squad for the games in the Far East."

Kyle, who is 21 next month, added: "I think I am the type of player who's a bit different to what they've had in the Scotland squad.

"I still have a lot to learn and I'm young but I'd like to think I could handle the step up."

Kyle, however, knows that there will be pressure on for places in the squad - four strikers were tried in last week's friendly - but Vogts, was impressed when he saw Kyle come on as substitute in last month's Premiership game against Liverpool at the Stadium of Light.

"He told me he thought I'd done well in that game and he just told me to keep going, keep working hard and he would keep watching.

"He knows that Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips have a strong partnership, but he said I'd get my chance if I stuck in."

Vogts is taking a fresh look at the players he has available and is determined to make changes which will benefit Scotland in the future following the recent disappointments which led to Brown's departure.

Kyle said: "The new coach is giving everyone a chance and I think it is a good thing that he's having a fresh look at the Scotland team and the players he has available."

Kyle, who was the club's leading scorer with ten goals in 21 FA Premier Reserve League appearances this season, including four in the 7-0 demolition of Aston Villa in March, had 40 minutes after coming on as substitute in the 3-0 defeat at West Ham and had hoped to make his full senior debut.

Now it looks as though he could well be first pulling on the famous blue jersey of Scotland.

l Sunderland's under-18s will defend the title won two years ago in the Uitgeest Youth Tournament in Holland, which starts on May 18. They have been grouped with Hertha Berlin, of Germany, and Dutch outfits Sparta Rotterdam and Volendam.

* Sven-Goran Eriksson has yet to decide which match he will attend tonight in the final chance for fringe players to impress him before he names his World Cup squad.

The England coach has organised seats at both Arsenal's potential title decider against Manchester United at Old Trafford, as well as Liverpool's game at Blackburn. He will attend one of the two games, while his right-hand man, Tord Grip, will be at the other.

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