YOUNG footballers from a Bolton school unveiled a secret weapon before their clash with a rival school -- Manchester United and England star Philip Neville.

The Old Trafford star took time out from Premiership training and Manchester United's European campaign to join staff and excited youngsters at the St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School.

The visit came as a result of seven-year-old pupil Daniel Martin winning a nationwide competiton.

Bury-born defender Philip, put pupils through their paces in a coaching class and conducted a question and answer session at the school in Eastborne Grove.

He then watched the junior match against Mytham County Primary School, Little Lever.

Headteacher Pam McTague said: "It has been a great day for the school and Daniel. Philip came for an hour and sat through an assembly before meeting the youngsters.

"They were all very excited.

"If Mytham Road thought that Philip Neville had been giving us some extra coaching sessions then they would be right!"

Daniel, from Bolton, who admits to being a Super Whites fan, won first prize in the competition after his mother Anne Marie collected hundreds of special ring-pulls from Coca Cola cans.

Children across the country then bid for prizes in an internet auction -- and Daniel won the top prize for him, and his classmates, to meet an England footballer.

Daniel said: "My dad goes to watch Bolton Wanderers every week but I haven't been yet so it's great to meet a Premiership player at my school.

"I have seen Phil on the television quite a lot and all my classmates are really excited."

And Philip said of his appearance: "It is nice to visit schools and pupils like Daniel to give something back to the game and to make the children happy."