A SUSSEX schoolboy will be on the field for the UEFA Euro 2016 final in Paris this summer.

England’s 1966 World Cup hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst has heaped praise on youngster Freddie Johns who is set to walk out as a mascot in the final and in the Wales v England Euros clash.

The Crawley schoolboy has been selected as a player escort, supported by McDonalds, and will stand alongside his Three Lions heroes on Thursday ahead of England’s most anticipated clash.

McDonald’s director of football, Sir Geoff Hurst, said: “Freddie will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of something truly special, accompanying future legends of English football as they step out into some of the iconic grounds in European football.”

McDonald’s ambassadors Sir Geoff Hurst, Ryan Giggs and Martin Keown were picked to unveil the winners of the once in a lifetime opportunity to become a McDonald’s Player Escort at UEFA Euro 2016.

As well as the Wales v England clash, Freddie will also walk out with the players ahead of the Northern Ireland v Germany game on June 21 in Paris.

McDonald’s head of English football Martin Keown said: “Nothing can compare to the rush of competing in front of your fans during an international tournament.

“It is a feeling you never forget as a player. England have an exciting squad of up-and-coming talent that will be competing in France this summer and that will only help to inspire the younger generation of fans watching at home.”

The McDonald’s Player Escort programme has provided thousands of children with the chance to stand beside football superstars since its inception in 2002.

Wales are the first of the home nations to open their campaign against Slovakia in Bordeaux at 5pm today followed by England’s opener against Russia at 8pm in Marseille.

Northern Ireland are in action against Poland at 5pm tomorrow in Nice while the Republic of Ireland will have to wait until Monday for their first game of the competition in Paris when they take on Sweden.