Oxford United’s Ava Kuyken has been called up to the England schoolgirls’ under 15 squad for a series of games in the spring.

The prospect, who has starred for her age group at United’s centre of excellence, will first travel to Portugal next month for a training camp at Benfica.

Two games against a Portuguese Club XI in Lisbon will be followed by a friendly away to the Republic of Ireland on March 21.

It is in preparation for the Bob Docherty Cup, an annual tournament which this year will be held in Glasgow from April 6-9.

Kieran Hayes, United’s under 15 coach, said: “We are all really proud of Ava for her recent call up to the ESFA squad, which she fully deserves.

“I’m sure she will excel with the new challenges that she faces.”

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