STRIKER Gary Whiteside hopes to score a winning World Cup goal for his country.

Then he will get back to finding a job and somewhere to live.

For 18-year-old Gary is in the England team for next month's Homeless World Cup when 32 teams - including Brazil and Italy - will battle for the title in Edinburgh.

Gary found himself homeless and jobless after 18-months in the Army.

He returned to Bolton and was staying at a hostel when he was told about the World Cup trials.

Coaches from Manchester United's Football in the Community Programme put 100 hopefuls through their paces before choosing a squad of eight for the Street Soccer competition between July 18 and 25.

Street Soccer is literally played in the "street" - Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh - between teams of four.

Previous World Cups in 2003 and 2004 were held in Austria and Sweden.

For Wanderers fan Gary, it will provide an all-expenses break away from the rigours of job-hunting and trying to find a permanent home.

He has an offer of a warehouse job and has moved into a council flat in Woldenden Terrace, Halliwell.

"Football is what I have always wanted to do," said the former Smithills High pupil.

"I have a Level One coaching badge and intend to gain other qualifications, but I also think I am good enough to play football professionally or semi-professionally. Perhaps a good performance in Edinburgh will kick-start a career in football for me."