Manchester City ‘role model’ Khiara Keating looking to become Lionesses’ first ever mixed-race keeper as Mary Earps battle begins

At 19 years old, Manchester City's Khiara Keating has already overtaken a number of experienced internationals to become her club's first-choice keeper.

Keating will now look to become the Lionesses' first ever senior mixed-race goalkeeper.

Sarina Wiegman handed the teenager her first senior call-up after some standout displays for Manchester City, including during their controversial 1-1 draw against Chelsea when Keating was crucial to them retaining a point after they were reduced to nine players.

And while England No.1 Mary Earps is expected to start ahead of the youngster in goal for their double-header against Belgium, Keating will be hoping that this call-up will mark only the start of her long international career.

Becky Spencer is the only other mixed-race keeper to have even been called up to England Women's senior squad and she spoke to talkSPORT about what it was like breaking barriers with the Jamaican national team at the Women's World Cup.

Alongside Keating and Spencer, there are only two other goalkeepers of colour have been called up to a senior England team: David James and Shaka Hislop, with only the former managing a full cap, earning 53.

Keating admitted that getting her first call-up was a significant step forward, not just for her.

She said: «Obviously I think it's important for anyone to make their debut but obviously coming from a background of colour, there's not many of us. I think we are starting to see a rise and I'm just happy that I could be an inspiration.

»Anyone out there that's thinking 'maybe I will get judged' or 'maybe it's not for me', but yeah, I feel like I'm just grateful to be in a position where I can be a role model to people."

Talking to talkSPORT's Women's Football Show after