Varndean's Russell Martin is poised to get an England call-up.

The midfielder impressed in the first of two trials at Lilleshall with the English Schools' under-18s for a place in the final squad of 16.

He is almost certain to be in the second trial as he bids to be involved in a series of matches culminating in a game against the Rest of the World in front of around 40,000 at Villa Park to mark the English Schools' Association's centenary.

If selected he would emulate Ollie Rowland as the last Sussex player to make the squad and be the first Varndean pupil chosen since former Albion reserve Steve Palmer - who scored for QPR against the Seagulls on Sunday - 17 years ago.

England manager Vic Bragg, a Crawley teacher and director of Albion's centre of excellence at Worthing, said: "Russell had a satisfactory weekend with us. He will learn within ten days if he will go forward to the next trial."

Martin is keeping his fingers crossed.

He said: "It would be amazing to go all the way and get the chance to play in front of 40,000 for your country at a Premiership ground.

"I was pleased with how the first of the trials went, a lot better than an earlier one I had. I managed to score a goal in a match which was part of the trial."

He believes Albion have helped him.

Martin, 17, has joined Ryman League Lewes after being involved in the Youth Alliance and FA Youth Cup games for the Seagulls this season.

He said: "I asked to leave because I wasn't happy with the way I was playing and didn't feel as much a part of it as the scholars as they go in every day and I went in a couple of times a week.

"But Dean Wilkins, Martin Hinshelwood and all the coaching staff really helped me as a footballer. I've learned so much and gained useful experience. I felt the benefit of all that at the latest trial."

His Varndean manager Simon Gracethorne said: "Russell came on in leaps and bounds with Albion."

Alan Sanders, Albion's education manager, was Martin's boss with Brighton Boys.

The former Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College teacher said: "He's a good player and we hope he can keep a Sussex-England sequence of one-a-year going. I managed Ollie at BHASVIC and, following him at the college, Tom Djamaluddin, Lee Newman and Scott Kirkwood played for English Colleges."

Martin helped Varndean reach the last 32 of the English Schools' Trophy. He captained the side to a 14-1 win over Bexhill with Aaron Gunn (4), Peter Baker (4), Lloyd Cotton (3), substitute Lance Ansbro (2) and Neil Watts on target.

Varndean face Kingston College, who beat Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College in the opening round, away on January 7.

Martin is also in the Sussex squad at Suffolk today in the national inter-county cup before an FA Inter County Cup game against North Riding on Saturday.

Albion have a block centre of excellence fixture against Brentford on Sunday.

Sussex Schools' under-15s have named their squad for matches against Kent at Steyning Grammar on December 30 (10.30am kick off) and away to Essex on January 2.