Llay Miners Welfare Football Club

Kevin Keegan never quite realised the dreams of the Toon Army when he was manager at Newcastle, but yesterday he made one Geordie's fantasy come true. Keegan, faced with the loss of three of his five strikers, called up Newcastle-born Tottenham striker Chris Armstrong for England's World Cup qualifier against Poland at Wembley on Saturday.

The summons was a shock for Armstrong, not least because he has been chosen ahead of his team-mate Les Ferdinand, who kept him on the bench for Sunday's Worthington Cup Final success over Leicester. Ironically Armstrong's first training session with the England squad will be at Wembley this morning.

Armstrong is certain to be on the bench at least on Saturday with Alan Shearer and Andy Cole likely to play up front following yesterday's withdrawal of Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Chris Sutton. Keegan also lost Darren Anderton who, within hours after extolling Eileen Drewery's healing powers on television on Tuesday night, succumbed to his latest groin strain.

There was better news for Keegan with both his goalkeepers, David Seaman and Nigel Martyn, showing promising improvement with their respective shoulder and back injuries.

For a coach who has spent most of his working life surrounding himself with forwards, Keegan must have felt very lonely as he coached England yesterday. With Newcastle or Fulham, the solution would have been simple - phone the chairman, ask for his cheque book, and sign someone. With England it is not so simple. With so many foreign players filling the striking positions (Cole is the only English forward among the top three Premiership teams), it is a case of scouring clubs for a fit and eligible player.

Keegan came up with Armstrong whose initial international experience was playing in goal for North Wales. He later won an England B cap but has never been close to the full squad before.

The call-up caps a remarkable rise for a player who gave up the game at 16. Although he played in goal for his local club he did play outfield at school but stopped at 16 to work in a burger bar for 30 pounds a week as a YTS school leaver. A friend persuaded him to play again and he was spotted by Wrexham. Transfers to Milwall and Crystal Palace followed before he was signed, for 4.5million pounds to replace Jurgen Klinsmann at White Hart Lane in August 1995.

The 27-year-old began well with 15 league goals in his first season but has since been troubled with injury. Keegan, however, said of him: "He has pace and won't let us down. He has had a good season and I know we can rely on him.

Began his career with Llay Welfare FC of the Welsh National Football League, before signing for Wrexham FC on 3 March 1989 on a free transfer. Went on to join Millwall FC on 16 August 1991 for £50,000. After one season, he joined Crystal Palace FC on 1 September 1992 for £1m. Tottenham Hotspur FC then bought him for £4.5m. on 30 June 1995 before being released in May 2002. It was not until 28 August 2002 that he found a new club, Bolton Wanderers FC. He then rejoined Wrexham FC on 4 July 2003. Retired in 2005.