A SPORTS student found himself with three lions on his shirt for the second year running after winning the chance to play football for his country.

Darlington College student Andrew White is battling for a place in the final squad for next spring’s Four Nations after successfully moving through the ranks of England schoolboy football.

The second year student is studying a BTEC Level Three Extended Diploma in Sports and last year competed in the U16 Four Nations.

He travelled to a training camp in Derby, the culmination of trials at a regional level, to be among a squad of players from the North-East and North-West who played opponents from the South of England.

He is now waiting to hear whether he has secured a place in the next Four Nations competition.

Bishop Auckland-born, now living in Chilton, the 17-year-old recalls kicking a ball for the first time as a toddler with his older brother Alex, who also went on to become a professional player, and dad Nigel, who played in the Northern League.

“Football is in my blood and I am lucky enough to be a left footer which cuts the competition down as there are fewer of us around,” said the centre back.

“The trials are different from playing in a normal match as you only have one chance to make an impact. “But I know you have to grab every opportunity where you can.”