MENTIONING the words "schoolboy international" without adding "the new Wayne Rooney" is a difficult thing in this day and age.

But when the international in question is Michael Woods from Pocklington, there is no fear of any clich as, apart from a stand-out talent on the pitch, there is simply nothing to hang it on.

Woods' quiet head-down approach is a complete contrast to Rooney's attitude - and there seems little danger of it changing, even after his projected England Under-16 debut in the Victory Shield against Wales next Friday, which is being televised by Sky.

Woods said: "The thing I'm most looking forward to is wearing the England shirt - I think every boy's dream is to play for your country.

"I am a bit nervous - especially as it's live on Sky - but I'm hoping once I get into it, it'll be okay."

He has been at the Leeds United academy since being spotted by coaches at Dunnington - his nearest club - aged 11.

He said: "I'm really enjoying it at Leeds. I couldn't wish to be anywhere else really. I'm really quite fortunate and I feel quite lucky that I have got a chance."

For Leeds United, he plays at the front of a midfield diamond as an all-out attacking midfielder.

But while Frank Lampard is the name on the back of his England shirt - for now - it is Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard that Woods hopes to emulate.

The cost of the call-up, received two weeks ago following September trials at Lilleshall, can be counted in the everyday sacrifices made by the dedicated teenager.

That dedication has included four 80-mile round trips to Leeds a week for the past four years courtesy of mum and dad Trish and Dave and his grandparents.

But it's not an easy option - he still gets all his homework done, catches up for any time missed and is described by his teachers at Woldgate School as a model student who would rather shy away from the attention and is "about as far away from Wayne Rooney as you can get".

"I miss out on the social side of seeing friends and just being out and enjoying myself," said Woods. "But hopefully it will be worth it."

'Worth it' would be a youth contract at Leeds United when they're decided in January, and taking the first steps in the bootstuds of former Victory Shield legends like Ryan Giggs, Joe Cole and Michael Owen - who once scored all four for England at Bootham Crescent.

He added: "To see some of the players that have come through, it's hard to imagine being there but it's something you've got to aim for. At least you can look back and say 'I've got no regrets'."

Woods and Leeds team-mate Danny Rose are in the 17-strong squad, with two other United youngsters, Tom Taiwo and Liam Darville, on standby.

Former Sherburn High School teenager Simon Walton, who has Leeds first team experience, Ben Parker and Gavin Rothery, who are both regulars in Leeds reserves, have been selected for an U19 squad to play in a UEFA friendly tournament in Poland which runs until Wednesday.

Shield fixtures

THE U16 Victory Shield programme is:

Northern Ireland 1, Scotland 1 (played at Ballymena on Thursday).

England v Wales (at Telford), Friday, October 14.

Wales v Scotland (at Rhyl), Thursday, October 27.

England v Northern Ireland (at Chester), Thursday, November 3.

Wales v Northern Ireland (at Camarthen), Thursday, November 17.

Scotland v England (at Kilmarnock), Friday, November 25.

TOP England internationals to have featured in the Victory Shield include Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe, Andy Cole, Jamie Redknapp, Trevor Brooking, Peter Shilton, World Cup winning trio Bobby Charlton, Nobby Stiles and Ray Wilson, Stanley Matthews and Duncan Edwards.

Updated: 09:06 Saturday, October 08, 2005