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The boy from Brazil
Soccer-mad schoolboy Michael Chambers dreams of emulating Sir Tom Finney.
Now the 15-year-old Penwortham youngster is about to realise his ambition after being named as the youngest member of the England amputee World Cup squad.
While his mates are resting on the Costas or sunning themselves at home, Michael, a year 10 pupil at All Hallows Catholic High School, Crabtree Avenue, will be heading out to Rio in the summer holidays.
The winger has been playing football for about two and a half years, despite wearing a false leg, and was spotted by the England team coach while playing with a Lancaster disabled group at Manchester City.
Michael has worn a prosthetic since his foot had to be amputated when he was just a toddler.
But he has never let it interfere with his love of sport. He is a keen snooker player and enjoys tennis and cricket as well as football.
He said: "I was asked by the Manchester City amputee manager to go for a trial at Lilleshall and the England manager asked me to go down for a few more sessions.
"I have to take my leg off because we play on crutches, but players can go quite fast.
"I've just got the letter in the post telling me I am in the team and when I opened it I was really excited.
"Everyone was dead pleased and my whole family came round to congratulate me. I am really looking forward to it. I am the youngest in the team."
The Lilywhite fan, whose hero is goalie Andrew Lonergan, is busy training for the hot climes of Brazil by walking around with extra layers of clothes on and is drinking plenty of water.
He added: "I am going to Lilleshall for training, but they are hoping to set up some sessions at the Reebok Stadium for players from the North West. I am the only one from Preston but there are some others from the region.
"I am really happy about being selected. There will be people from all over the world there and I am really proud to be the youngest ever to represent England in the World Cup."
Michael, who lives in Gaskell Road, will be in Brazil for 15 days and will be joined on the trip by his dad and uncle.
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Weather for Preston
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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Temperature: -6 C to 4 C
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