A TEENAGE soccer star given the boot by Newcastle United for drug abuse has made a desperate plea to restart his career.

Anthony Parry - who was signed by England coach Kevin Keegan as a young trainee - said: "I'm desperate to get back into football, and just want another chance. I miss it a lot. It's all I've ever wanted to do."

The 18-year-old from Murton, County Durham, was given his marching orders by Magpies' bosses last year following a random drugs test.

Traces of morphine were found in his blood in February, and his world fell apart when his footballing future was shattered.

Anthony has battled to beat his addiction ever since. But he has revealed he was just 15 when he got into the drugs habit with other users near his home.

He carried on his budding soccer career, often using heroin in the morning and playing matches in the afternoon.

Anthony said he was now getting his life back on track - and he still aims to make it.

He said: "I've been clean for six weeks now, and I mean to stay off. It's been a real struggle because the withdrawal symptoms are so bad, and it has taken me a few goes. Heroin is a big problem where I live, and it's hard to stay away from it.

"My ambition now is to stay clean, live a normal life and prove to the FA I'm off drugs for good."

When Anthony failed the drugs test he was banned from playing competitive soccer for life by the Football Association.

But an FA spokesman said: "We are very supportive in these kind of cases. We regard them as more a tragedy. If Anthony made an application to us, we would deal with it sympathetically. We were all saddened by this case.