Teen star gets England call

Proud officials at the EVO-STIK NPL's First Division South leaders announced on Wednesday that the 18-year-old had selected for the English Schools' FA U18s boys squad getting ready to take on the home nations.

The Shropshire-based attacker, who missed a previous England call-up through injury, was named this week in an 18-strong squad for the upcoming U18s Centenary Shield campaign and is now looking forward to matches against Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland in February and March.

The forward and winger, who attends Thomas Telford School, was selected following final trials at Lilleshall National Sports Centre last weekend, scoring once in a 6-0 win over the Navy.

Thomas joined Rangers in September and has made four appearances so far for manager Neil Kitching. On Boxing Day he scored the winner in front of nearly a thousand jubilant fans at Marston Road in a 2-1 victory over Chasetown after coming on as a late substitute.

Rangers congratulated the teenager on their Facebook page, saying: "Joe was chosen before but missed out due to injury. We hope for better luck this time for a talented youngster who only turned 18 on the 7th January. Good luck Joe!"

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