A TEENAGER from Torfaen is in line for his first appearance in a Wales shirt having been called up to the schoolboys squad to face Belgium later this month.

Ryan Doble, a 15-year-old pupil of Abersychan Comprehensive School, is in the 16-man Under-16s squad flying out to Brussels on March 12 for the match a day later. And if he makes his debut it will mark the end of an incredible rise from Blaenavon Blues Juniors to international football. His mother Heather Doble said: "He started out with Blaenavon Blues then was called up to the Torfaen county squad."

It was there that Ryan was spotted by a scout working for Southampton FC, and the club signed the youngster up three years ago. This season, playing up front for the Saints' academy side against boys from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, he has become the under-16s' top-scorer in the first year of a two-year contract.

And if he continues to impress his coach Kevin Braybrook and the staff, Ryan could be in line for a full scholarship in 2007.

Ryan's grandmother, Pam Lloyd added: "He received the letter last Monday that he was in the squad. He could have made the squad last year, but he travels so much to and from Southampton that his coaches there didn't think he would be able to do everything. We go and see him whenever he's playing in Southampton and his mother and father go every Saturday travelling to away games as far as London - like Fulham, West Ham and Charlton."

Mrs Lloyd added: "Ryan goes down on Saturdays for his games then comes back with his parents; then goes to Southampton and back on the train on Sundays, and trains in Bath on Mondays after having to miss school.

"His parents should get a medal because the miles they put in are marvellous."

Ryan's mother, Heather, added: "He's been to squad meetings in Cardiff and Aberdare before but this is his first full call-up. We don't know if he'll be playing at this stage but we're hoping he'll start, probably on the wing."