LIVERPOOL'S European Cup-winning French international striker Djibril Cisse heads the cast of stars lined up to open a £750,000 sports facility in Runcorn.
The Heath School Science and Technology College will on Wednesday, February 15 officially un-veil an artificial pitch for the school and community.
And there will be a high-profile launch featuring other national and international sports personalities.
Tony Fretwell, PE teacher at The Heath and event co-ordinator, said the facility will be 'superb'.
He added: 'We aim to welcome guests from football, both codes of rugby, basketball and hockey to highlight the significance to the whole sporting community.'
As well as Cisse, who lives in Frodsham, two England sports stars raised in Halton - the country's basketball captain Delme Herriman from Widnes and ex-Heath School hockey ace Nicky O'Donnell of Runcorn - are among the guests.
They will be joined by players from Widnes Vikings RLFC and Sale Sharks RUFC.
The Heath School was earlier this year awarded more than £700,000 towards the project from the Big Lottery Fund.
Steve Dewhurst, assistant headteacher at The Heath, said: 'The facility is costing £¾ million and is built to a very high standard.
'We have had to make a contribution to that amount as a school.
'We have contributed around 10% of the cost with the rest is being funded from the Lottery on the condition certain conditions are met with regards to access to other user groups.'
The pitch will be available to the community out of school hours.
Changing rooms, sports-hall facilities and playing areas for netball and tennis have been upgraded by the school.
Pupils will have a chance to rub shoulders with their distinguished visitors before the official opening ceremony.
And afterwards, there will be an autograph-signing session.
Mr Fretwell added: 'The ceremony will also see us take the opportunity to support the school's chosen charity, Halton Haven Hospice by pupils paying for the opportunity to wear sports clothes in place of their normal uniform.'
Cisse boost for Linnets teen, too
DJIBRIL Cisse is also lending his support to Runcorn FC Halton's long-term injury victim Ian McInerney.
McInerney, who broke a leg in five places on Boxing Day, is visiting Liverpool's Melwood training ground this morning to meet Cisse, who has recovered from a similar injury, and other Reds stars.
The Linnets teenager faces up to two years out of football but can expect further encouragement from Cisse in a sofar positive recuperation.
After visiting hospital on Tuesday, accompanied by club manager Steve Carragher, 18-year-old McInerney is due to return in six weeks for a further check-up.
Medics should by then be closer to deciding whether a metal rod inserted into the leg can be removed.
Carragher said: 'Most of the swelling has gone down and Ian has movement in the leg - there is no plaster and he is up and about on crutches.'
Meanwhile, Carragher is calling on his resurgent team to win more than half their remaining UniBond League Premier Division games.
But his players believe they are on target to better that.
Carragher said: 'We have 17 games left now and I expect a minimum 10 wins out of them.
'But the response from the lads was they are expecting to win more, which was great to hear.'
The Linnets go to Ilkeston Town on Saturday (ko 3pm), looking to complete a league double.
But like Runcorn, Ilkeston have improved and were 3-0 weekend winners at 10-man strugglers Leek.
Runcorn will be without skipper Paul Scott and Shaun Whalley, both serving one-match suspensions.
Ex-Chorley midfieldman Antony Bowden returns after flu and looks set to replace Scott in central midfield. Colin Flood deputises as captain.
