Teuten set for England duty after leaving Portsmouth for Southampton

Alex Teuten, second from the left, in the lead group with winner Matt Sharp, right, during the Victory 5. Picture: Neil Marshall

Alex Teuten is preparing for his next big international test after making the difficult decision to leave City of Portsmouth and join Southampton.

The Iris Cross Cup in Belgium on Sunday is a prestigious event and England team manager Eamonn Martin has selected a strong squad.

Teuten, who has already represented his country in Spain this winter, travels alongside Southend’s Adam Hickey, Cheltenham runner Graham Rush and Morpeth’s Jonny Taylor.

The athletes were picked on the basis of their performances at the Liverpool Cross Challenge race.

Teuten ran well there to finish 13th in one of the best domestic cross-country races seen in this country for many years.

He then went on to take third place in the Victory 5 road race – his final outing in City of Portsmouth colours before changing clubs.

That was a tough move to make for the 24-year-old who has spent 16 years with the club where he started his running career.

He said: ‘It was difficult. They looked after me really well.

‘I owe them a lot, it was just the right time to go for my own career.

‘They are a very good club and I’ve had a great time with them.

‘They are well respected and they have big plans as well.

‘I’m at university in Southampton for at least another three years, though.