It may be the time to eat, drink and be merry but ambitious Steve Edmonds hopes to really start celebrating in the new year with a place in the England under-18 squad.

The 17-year-old Brighton College student is among a select group of 35 who have been invited to Seaford College, from January 4 to 7 for a training camp to decide the final England under-18 squad.

Steve, who plays for promotion chasing Brighton and Hove in the Kent and Sussex Regional League, said: "I am training this week but over Christmas and New Year I will have to do my own fitness work."

And with a quick reference to the infamous football chant "Who ate all the pies?" he added: "I will only be able to eat some of the pies this year."

However, Steve knows trimming back on the eating and drinking could all be worth it if he gets rewarded with an England place - which is one step further towards his ultimate ambition.

Steve said: "I would love to play for Great Britain in an Olympic Games."

Time would appear to be on his side.

He turned 17 in November, having already sat on the bench for Sussex as a 16-year-old, so even if he does not make the England under-18 squad this time, he can have another go next season.

He said: "I am trying not to get my hopes up too high as there is always the chance I could do it next year."

A regular with Brighton, Steve has also represented the South of England, Sussex seniors and the under-21s.

He said: "This is the best yet and is the next step up.

"It all happened this year too."

If England selection does come his way, Steve believes a lot of the credit should be given to his coach at Brighton, Bram Van Asselt.

Steve said: "Bram has helped me improve a lot.

"He has worked on fitness, stick skills and just generally every part of my game. He deserves a lot of credit."

Steve was a target for National League side Lewes prior to this season but elected to stay at Brighton where the coach convinced him he could improve as much as by making a move along the A27.

Steve's faith in his coach seems to be paying dividends, although results at Brighton took a dip just before the mid-season break.

Steve said: "We were doing really well but we lost a couple of games against the top teams Holcombe and Tulse Hill."

When the season restarts on January 6 with a game against Horsham there will still be plenty to play for, though Steve may well be unavailable for Brighton, and his presence sorely missed.

Brighton skipper Carlo Missirian, a fan of the teenager, said: "We put him in the first team last year when he was not quite ready but we kept playing him and he had a dream year just getting better and better.

"He is a good little player. He looks after himself and he listens to what he is told. He owes a lot to Bram, who is probably one of the best coaches in the country. His father Andy offers him a lot of support."

He added: "Steve is not a flair player but he is solid, fit and strong. He has got every chance of going as far as he wants to go as a player.

"The only danger could be trying to do too much, too soon."