ON-LOAN Hashtag United goalkeeper Ted Curd has been selected in England’s under 17 squad for the forthcoming World Cup in Indonesia.

Curd, who is with the Tags from Chelsea, is one of three shot-stoppers in the 21 man travelling party.

And Hashtag boss Jay Devereux is delighted the youngster’s fine form has been recognised by the Three Lions.

“It’s absolutely brilliant and he’s been great since he’s come in, said Devereux.

“He’s only 17 and still a baby, especially in goalkeeping terms, but he’s been amazing.

“We’re really grateful that Chelsea have put their trust in us to take one of their young players and that he’s seen the benefit of coming to a team at our level for his own development.

“Hopefully the fact he’s been playing senior football with us has helped solidify his place in England’s World Cup squad.”

And Devereux will be keeping a close eye on the tournament which gets underway later this month.

"We’ll be watching him keenly and wishing him all the very best because he deserves it," said Devereux.

"The last time England competed in that tournament they won it with the likes of Phil Foden and Rhian Brewster.

"I really hope they do well again and it's amazing for us as a club to have a young England intentional representing us."

Hashtag have made a steady start to life in the Isthmian Premier after winning Isthmian North last season.

The Tags are 12th in the standings and Devereux feels it has been a solid campaign so far, despite Saturday's disappointing 6-3 defeat at Enfield Town.

"It’s been OK," said Devereux.

"It was better before weekend obviously.

"Until Saturday we had been really solid and good defensively but we’re lacking goals.

"That’s something we need to improve on because we’ve had too many draws.

"We’ve had ones we should’ve won and if we had have done we would be more comfortable."

But Devereux has noticed a real improvement at this level of the game.

"There’s a clear step up and we understood there would be," said Devereux.

"The key this season is that the games are a lot closer and tighter.

"It’s just about finding a way to come out on the right side of those games.

"It’s a bit of a crazy league in how tight it is in terms of points.

"Other than Hornchurch, who look like they’re about to steam ahead, underneath them it’s quite up and down and the teams in the play-offs are changing regularly."

And Devereux has been boosted by the Tags' form against the top teams in the division.

"We’ve played most of the top six and our only defeats have come against the top two at the moment," said Devereux.

"That’s a positive so we’re content with a tinge of frustration over how some of the games have gone."

The Tags will now be looking to get back to winning ways against Hastings United who sit one place and one point above them in the table.

But Devereux expects another tricky test.

"They’ve just had a change in management," said Devereux.

"They will be looking for a new manager bounce and we have to look to respond from a disappointing weekend."