A talented footballer from King Edward's College is heading for sunnier climes this month after being called by England for FIFA's under-20 World Cup in Chile.

17-year-old A-level student Kerys Harrop is preparing to spend up to two-and-a-half weeks in South America.

“It was amazing when I heard I was in the squad,” said the Halesowen-based central defender, “Obviously I was hoping to make the squad after being capped at that level but it was a very nervous wait.

“The next aim now is to help Birmingham climb the table and hopefully be in the starting eleven for the World Cup, but that will be difficult because there are a lot of quality players in the squad.”

The former Hasbury Rangers star is one of the first names on the team sheet for top-flight club Birmingham City Ladies and has already been capped at under-17 level for her country.

Kerys, along with Blues team mate Becky Hall, will be aiming to kick-off the tournament as England take on the hosts in the opening game in Coquimbo on Wednesday, November 19.

England then face Nigeria at the same venue on Saturday 22 November and complete their group fixtures against New Zealand at Santiago De Chile on Wednesday 26.

And with the quarter-finals on Sunday, November 30 and Monday, December 1, the semi-finals on Thursday 4 and the final on Sunday, December 7, Kerys could find herself playing catch-up with her studies in PE, human biology, psychology and German.

Before jetting off to Chile, Harrop has home games against Blackburn and Nottingham Forest respectively on the next two Sundays for her Redditch United-based club either side of a tough midweek trip to Everton.

England seniors coach Hope Powell will undoubtedly be keeping tabs on the highly-rated young defender's World Cup progress given that she also qualifies to play for the USA through her American mum Kim and can still opt for the US if the call comes, because she has yet to play a competitive game for the Three Lions seniors.