MICHAEL Nicholson of Taunton Vale Hockey Club has secured a England National Under-18s training squad place.

Nicholson, 17, had previously been called up to a squad of 33 after playing in the U18 Futures Cup in October 2016.

He has now made the squad of 28 boys who will continue in the England programme – from which players for international matches will be selected.

Nicholson has been in Vale men’s 1st XI for three years, and scored the winning goal as Vale claimed the England Hockey National U18 Plate last spring.

Club chairman Mark Davenport said: “Hopefully, Michael will follow in the footsteps of ex-Vale members Simon Mantell, who went to Rio, and Tom Carson, chosen for the next Olympic cycle.”