A FOOTBALL mad youngster is struggling to contain his excitement as he prepares to walk out with his England heroes at Wembley.

Jack Wellman, of Castle View Road, Canvey, will step out on to the hallowed turf with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Joe Hart and Gary Cahill as they take on Montenegro ahead of their Fifa World Cup qualifier on Friday, October 11.

Jack, seven, won the opportunity after entering a national competition on the McDonald’s Kickstart website.

He said: “It’s amazing I’ll get to walk out with the England team and it’ll be a great game to watch.”

Jack has recently moved to Canvey from Chicago, USA, after his father, Bradley, returned to the island after spending 16 years coaching there.

Jack plays for Benfleet Football Club’s youth team and is on the Colchester United development squad.

He is also an avid West Ham United fan, but is looking forward to meeting captain Steven Gerrard, who plays for Liverpool.

Mr Wellman said: “He’s really looking forward to it.

“He’ll get to go down there before the match and watch the players warm up and he’ll also be given an England strip.

“He also gets four tickets – so we can all go with him.”

McDonalds works with the FA to support 400,000 volunteers, 6,000 grassroots clubs and create a total of 30,000 qualified coaches by 2014.

Sir Geoff Hurst, McDonald’s director of football, said: “Walking out on to the pitch at Wembley Stadium is an unforgettable experience.

“The atmosphere will be electric, as it always is ahead of such a match.

“The McDonald’s football programme is about creating opportunities for people to get involved in grassroots football and to give youngsters footballing opportunities they will never forget.

“Hopefully, this will be one of them.”