Damien earns England call

Wolverhampton footballer Damien Wood has been called up to the England squad for the World Deaf Championships.

Wood, from East Park, is flying to Greece next week for his first England cap.

The midfielder received a good luck message from Wolves players Mark Little and Wayne Hennessey when he met them at the club's Compton training ground.

Damien, 21, works as a coach for Wolves In The Community and plays for Wolves Deaf FC. A former member of the Great Britain team, he has played high profile fixtures against Spain, Scotland and USA.

Damien, an FA qualified coach, trains children and young adults who attend the club's activities, including specialised sessions for players with hearing impairments.

His first match will be against Germany on Tuesday before matches against Greece and Malaysia between July 1 and 13.

Damien, of Woodstock Road, said: "I'm really looking forward to it. I want us to recreate the 5-1 victory the England first team won over Germany in 2001.

"I got through to the squad after a three-day training camp, but I believe at the moment I might even be in the starting line-up which would be fantastic."

Damien lost his hearing from after being struck down with meningitis at the age of two. He communicates by lip-reading.

Wolves defender Little said: "We're all really proud of Damien - he's going out there to represent Wolves as well as England.

"His squad could probably show the England first team a thing or two. He just has to go out there, enjoy it and not let nerves get the better of him."