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Raheem Sterling prepares for England debut as QPR insist he will not leave Loftus Road
David Yuill5 Nov 2009
Scouts from across the Premier League will be heading to the Deva Stadium in Chester tonight, desperate for a glimpse of a 14-year-old London schoolboy.
Queens Park Rangers sensation Raheem Sterling, who has attracted the interest of Manchester United and Liverpool, is set to make his England Under16 debut against Northern Ireland. The Harlesden-born striker is likely to feature from the bench for Kenny Swain's side.
Steve Gallen, QPR's head of youth development, is well aware of Sterling's growing profile but is confident he will not be tempted away from the club he joined as a 10year-old.
Gallen said: "I'm not one bit bothered about the other clubs. QPR are a big club and at no stage has he said he wants to go.
"He's not interested in all the stuff around him - whether it's in the street, the car park or wherever; he just wants to play football all the time.
"It is a big ambition of his to represent England. I'm just really pleased he can do that while playing for QPR."
Rangers boss Jim Magilton has been so impressed with the youngster, who scored on his Under-18 debut last month, that Sterling (right) trained with the first team last week.
It is also believed Magilton has lined up a senior game next month once Sterling turns 15 - which would make him the youngest player to appear in English football.
Gallen said: "He has loads of natural ability. This boy can pass, shoot, head it, score goals, tackle, defend, anything. He will be in our reserves quite soon and we will protect him from there."
Live on Sky Sports 1, 7.40pm
Reader views (6)
he is now a scouser is right rossy la
- Jontey, Liverpool, 28/02/2010 13:45
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Sold to Liverpool!!!
Guess the family of the kid didn't like wear the club was heading...
- Rafathered, Liverpool, 27/02/2010 23:42
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he has signed for Liverpool but hes onLy 15 so we have to wait another 4-5 years to see him pLaying for the senioR team and if Rafa is stiLL as Liverpool boss he wont pLay for another 10 years.
- Ermal Karavidaj, Prizren,Kosovo, 27/02/2010 23:37
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Well lets face it, QPR can afford to keep him!
- The Gavna, Dudley, Westmidlands, 13/12/2009 12:47
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Hope Man U won't get him and he will lead us to glory at the Premiership 
At that age he certainly has high ambitions, but for the good of the Q.P.R. fans I want him to stick at the team and try to do the best for our uprising.
- Elemag, Sofia, Bulgaria, 08/12/2009 21:25
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Fourteen?
Loads of time to not make it yet, and no that isn't a dig, that's experience of this country's best youth academy over the years.
- Stu, Beckton, 05/11/2009 12:11
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