TONIGHT he could be joining a select band of sporting elite - to have played both football and Cricket at the highest level.

For after already turning out for England at cricket, teenager Keith Barker is in line for his first international football cap, playing for the under 18s at York.

In doing so, he will rank alongside the great Dennis Compton as one of the few to have played each sport at the top.

Keith's father, a former cricket professional also called Keith, today revealed how he was initially disappointed when his son turned his back on the game he loves for football.

But the proud dad, of the Kings Way, Accrington, also expressed his delight that the youngster's decision was proving to be correct ahead of the 17-year-old's expected debut for England under 18s tonight.

Keith senior, who came to East Lancashire from the West Indies in 1965 and was a professional cricketer for 16 years, had high hopes his son would follow in his footsteps.

And Keith junior, a former Peel Park Primary and Moorhead High pupil, did play cricket for Lancashire from the age of eight. He holds the club's record score for a junior of 192 and also scored an impressive 14 centuries during his time there.

But he had also been on Blackburn Rovers' books since he was nine, showing immense promise.

Last summer, Keith had to choose between cricket and football. And his decision to turn his back on his father's sport is paying dividends.

This season, the left-sided striker has appeared in 16 Rovers reserve games, played a staring role for the youth side and received this week's England call-up.

Keith senior, who played for Enfield Cricket Club, Rishton and Great Harwood, as well as others in Lancashire, said: "I was a little bit disappointed because I wanted him to play cricket. But he has surprised me at football.

"I didn't think he would play for England or for the reserves at the age of 16.

"I go to watch him every week. He is quick and has a lot of skill. He made a good decision. We let him make the decision and do what he wanted to do. I thought he would have chosen cricket. In the past he could have played both but that is not possible today.

"I hope he goes on to play for the full England team one day."

Two of Keith senior's other sons were talented sportsmen. Andrew and Gary have both played for Lancashire league sides.

He also has a daughter, a step-son and is married to Valerie.

Keith senior never expected to still be in England almost 40 years since first arriving in England.

He explained: "I expected to be here for five years and go back to the West Indies but it didn't work out like that.

"I like the standard of living here and there was more of a foot-hold cricket wise."

He worked for Thwaites Brewery following his retirement from the sport in 1981 but now, at the age of 67, he is retired and enjoys watching his sons, popping into Enfield Cricket Club and being an armchair fan of all sports.