HAMPSHIRE FA referees development officer Keith Stroud has spoken of his "shock" at winning an England international call.

The former Wessex League referee of the year has been selected as England's representative for this week's Under-17 tournament in Portugal.

Apart from the host country the four-team event also features England - who include Saints' 15-year-old wonderkid Theo Walcott in their squad - France and Norway.

Stroud went on eight international trips while on the FIFA assistant referees list - the highlight being running the line at Greece's pre-Euro 2004 friendly against Bulgaria at Panathinaikos FC.

But the Algarve tournament is his first as a referee and comes in the middle of an impressive first season on the Football League referees list.

"To be selected as England's referee for the tournament is a fantastic honour," said Stroud, who works in Southampton but who lives in Dorset.

"I was more than shocked when I was told this week."

Stroud, who was one of the assistant referees for Saints' FA Cup final loss to Arsenal, was on national television recently as the fourth official for Everton's FA Cup win at Plymouth Argyle which was live on the BBC.

On his return comes his biggest whistling challenge yet - a Championship clash between West Ham and Cardiff City at Upton Park on Sunday, February 6.