Theerapol Ritson, one of the bright young hopes for Workington Town’s future, has been handed his first international call-up.

The 20-year-old winger, whose promise has brightened the gloom at the Zebra Claims Stadium, is in the Thailand squad to face Malta on October 29.

Theerapol – known local as Tee – qualifies for selection through his mother Yad and is thrilled to have been included in the 32-strong squad.

He said: “I have been talking with the assistant coach Marvin Pace for a while now so it was good to get confirmation that I had been included. I believe the squad will be reduced to 20 on October 1.

“There are two other British-based players in the squad, Chris Twigg and Tez Nueto and I think the Thai selectors have been widening their target area for players.”

Twigg, a 17-year-old goal-kicking winger released by Warrington’s Academy last year has been starring for amateur side Woolston Rovers.

Barrow Island star Tez Neuto is also set to represent Thailand in Malta's tour of the country. The Inaugural Ajan Vinai Sucharit Memorial Trophy, played in honour of Mr Sucharit, the first Indigenous Thailand National Head Coach, who died suddenly in November 2015, will form part of the historic tour.

This season Ritson has impressed with his pace and commitment, earning him three tries in the Championship.

“It’s been a tough season for everybody but I was determined to prove myself if I got a chance in the team. In think I’ve done ok when given the opportunity and it’s just unfortunate that we are still in a relegation place.

“Nobody in the squad has written-off our chances of winning the last three games to stay-up. That’s the objective, starting at Sheffield on Sunday,” he says.

Flimby-based Ritson has provided of the few bright spots for fans to remember the 2016 season and will be the type of player the new consortium preparing to run the club will want to build around.

Since establishing himself in the side he has missed only game, with a hip injury, and will be included in the squad to face Sheffield away on Sunday. The regular weekly assessment of injured colleagues is set to continue in the build-up to the game before coach Phil Veivers can name his side.