Oldham Athletic midfielder Dean Furman is chasing a place in South Africa's World Cup squad.

Born 21 years ago in Cape Town to South African parents, Furman moved to London with his family at the age of five. Spotted by a Chelsea scout aged nine playing for Radlett Rangers, Furman progressed through the age groups under the watchful eye of academy director Brendon Rodgers, the current Reading manager.

"It is something I have always wanted," he told The Observer. "So training with the squad gave me a taste of it and I definitely want to get back there again."