Pop superstars Westlife are to play a charity football match in Liverpool.

The Irish heart-throbs are set to take part in the Music Industry Soccer Six at Anfield on May 19.

And they’ll have a trump card in singer Nicky, who was a Leeds United apprentice and youth team goalkeeper.

The star-studded event aims to raise money for Liverpool Samaritans, and is backed by Mersey TV, Radio City, the Liverpool ECHO and Daily Post, Channel One and Radio Merseyside.

For the past eight years the soccer six event has raised thousands for charity but this is the first year it has taken place on Merseyside.

Westlife confirmed that they would take part as the match coincides with their concerts at the Manchester Arena.

The 2001 Soccer Six champions, TV personalities Ant and Dec, are apparently already in training to defend their title.

The dynamic duo are likely to face stiff opposition from the other teams, including pop band Blur, Dane Bowers, and former Liverpool footballers Ian Rush and John Barnes.

Mersey TV is fielding several teams of Hollyoaks and Brookside boys and girls – including Jennifer Ellison, Suzanne Collins, Elize du Toit and Paul Byatt.

Tickets for the day are GBP10, plus GBP1 booking fee, from the Radio City ticketline on 0151-256 5555.