ENGLAND International Steph Houghton gave a Wirral school's under 13 girls football team a motivational boost as they prepare for the regional final of the npower League Girls Cup.

The Arsenal Ladies' star visited Weatherhead High school in Wallasey ahead of the team's make or break next leg this week, to run a coaching session and impart some wisdom on the talented team.

Played at Burton Albion, Weatherhead High School, representing Tranmere Rovers, saw off competition from seven other schools representing their local npower Football League clubs.

They are through to the Northern Regional Finals of the Under 13s competition, where they will battle it out with three other schools.

If they are triumphant again at this stage, they will play the winners of the Southern Regional Finals on the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium before the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on April 7.

Clare McDougall, Npower's head of community and education said: "The girls of Weatherhead High School have done supremely well to win the Area Finals and they are now just one good day away from playing at Wembley Stadium.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to play at a such a special location and I'm sure they’ll relish the competition.

"We've got Steph on board to give the girls that extra lift they might need to get to the final.

"Not only will she be able to pass on some her skills, she’s perfectly positioned to tell the girls what it means to play at Wembley and how to maximise their abilities."

Weatherhead High School won the right to represent Tranmere Rovers after  victory in the club's local tournament, hosted in November 2012.