Keighley teenager Dan Connell is celebrating after being called up for the Great Britain Emerging Lions Under-17s squad.

The 16-year-old Oakbank School pupil began his league career playing through the age groups with the Keighley Cougar Cubs junior set-up before switching to Bradford-based West Bowling last season.

A bright future in the game for the stand-off is predicted by Keighley Cougars head of youth development Jeremy Crowther.

He said: “We’ve been watching Dan’s progress for a number of years at the club and his selection to represent his country is fully deserved.

“We are delighted for him.”

The Lions will tour Germany, after which Connell is set to return to Cougar Park to join up with the new under-20s squad, which will compete this summer.

Crowther first saw Connell in action as an under-13 player and has been impressed with his development.

He said: “He has grown a lot but I always thought he had that little bit of something which made you think ‘this kid could be a special player’.

“He has enhanced his game with West Bowling but we are looking for him to play in our under-20s side.

“We can see, with his skills and commitment, Dan becoming a major part of that team.

“And in two years’ time, I think he could be good enough to play in the Cougars first team.”