King of clubs: Powell and pupils pose with star shirts

Former England defender Chris Powell put aside the upheaval at current club Leicester City to give school pupils an insight into his football career.

Powell showed off celebrity football shirts and spoke to students from Bonus Pastor College at Lewisham City Learning Centre in south London.

"They did an interview with me and did really well," said the 40-year-old.

He even laughed off cheeky suggestions that he could be the next Leicester boss after Nigel Pearson's Hull switch.

Pearson changed clubs on Wednesday, leaving Powell unsure about his future.

"I was player-coach last season and now I'm retired from playing," he said.

"I'm the only member of coaching staff left and a new manager could come in before the players return to pre-season training on Wednesday, but I don't know."

Powell with the number 29 jersey he wore for Leicester

The former left-back, who is an ambassador for England's 2018 World Cup and until recently chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association, visited the pupils on the first BBC School Report Sports Day.

While Powell's immediate future may be unclear, his past is certain and he was more than willing to pass on details of his international and wide-ranging club experience.

He brought in signed shirts he had obtained in swaps with top footballers including Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, Arsenal's Robin van Persie and Manchester United defender Wes Brown.

Students Connor, Trae, Damien, Tremayne and Shayne asked Powell about his football background which has included playing for Crystal Palace, Aldershot, Southend, Derby, Charlton, West Ham and Watford.

Teacher Colm McGregor said: "They spoke to Chris as a live interview in the studio, asking him about his tips for young people in sport."

Meanwhile, Lucy and Vanessa were staying calm as they helped to put the broadcast together.

"We had a breaking news team, a World Cup team, a Wimbledon team and a cricket team. We were nervous about being behind the cameras - Lucy had the hiccups," said Vanessa.

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