BEND it like Beckham could well change to bend it like Bird in years to come, as Dannii Bird is certainly an England midfield star of the future.

The 18-year-old (pictured), from Bramley, is currently in a rich vein of form for the national women's under-19 side, having scored in their last four games, which included three European Championship qualifying games in Italy and a friendly match in Sweden.

The most important of these goals was against Norway, in the final qualifying game, when England needed to win 2-0 to book a place in the finals in Hungary.

Bird said: "That was the most memorable moment in my career so far - winning that game and scoring the first goal which got us on our way."

The teenager's strike was from over 25 yards - which is becoming her trademark distance - after just three minutes. By half-time the score was 2-0.

The midfielder continued: "I was told just to shoot when I could by the England manager Mo Marley, and it proved to pay dividends. That was a really important goal and we were all jumping for joy after the final whistle."

With her recent scoring form, Bird must be one of the first names on the teamsheet when England travel to Hungary for the tournament, which starts on July 20.

The young lions have been drawn in a group with Switzerland, Scotland and the hosts, with the top two making it into the semi-finals of the competition, a game which will be screened on Eurosport.

An added incentive is that a top-two finish will also book England a place in the under-19 World Cup in Russia next year.

Bird said: "I am looking forward to going to Hungary. We hope to do well and book our place in Russia for next year. After all, every player wants to play in a World Cup."

Before she can start dreaming of more goals, Bird will be taking her A-levels at Burleigh Community College, in Loughborough, where she is a student.

Away from her studies she is dedicated to her sport, putting in 18 hours of training a week - normally starting at 7am before college and again after it.

The midfielder commutes home each weekend to play for Fulham Ladies in the top flight of the women's game, where she was their top scorer last season with 12 goals.

She admits to now taking an interest in Fulham's results in the Premiership, but with her heroes when she was younger being Ryan Giggs and England midfield maestro David Beckham, it is no real surprise she is a Manchester United fan.

Bird said: "I watch David Beckham as I take the free-kicks and corners like he does."

The young England star has set her sights firmly on one day playing for the senior team and is also looking to pass on her skills by becoming a football coach.

She said: "I have already passed my level one coaching qualification and will be doing my level two shortly."

There is a real boom in girls' and women's football in this country, and in the Basingstoke area as well, which can only bode well for the future of the game.