SOUTHAMPTON Saints' Danni Bird has taken a giant step onto the international ladder.

The North Hampshire girl, a product of the Southampton FC Centre of Excellence, has been called into the England squad for their under-17 friendly international against France in Clairefontaine next Friday (October 25).

As an added boost for Saints, five of their most promising youngsters are included in next week's England under-15 development camp at the University of Essex in Colchester - Roxanne Roberts, Katie Gumm, Laura Stallard, Scarlett Smith and Cassie Thorp.

In all, 36 players will attend the camp.

Many more Centre products will be on show at Winchester City FC on Sunday (October 20, 2pm) when Southampton Saints' young side take on the might Doncaster Belles in the FA Women's Premier League National Division.

Saints' Scottish Under-19 international Holly Anderson received the player-of-the-match award in the recent European Championship qualifying game against Israel. The Scots need to win their next match against Russia to progress.

This coming Wednesday (October 23), Vanessa Raynbird's Hampshire senior representative team begin their defence of the South West Counties Championship against Dorset at AFC Totton (7.30).

Hampshire squad: Ruth Little, Becci Fry, Marie O'Brien (all Southampton Saints), Helen Pryer (Red Star), Gemma Ritchie (Arsenal), Katie Poore, Laura Froggatt, Lisa Richmond, Jo Lockton, Charlotte Brown, Charley Wilson, Stacey Niven, Michelle Niven (all Portsmouth FC Ladies), Kristin Jordan (Andover New Street), Alice Cantelo (Hatch Warren).