READY FOR FERRIBY |
20 / 10 / 11 Premier League clubs will be keeping a close eye on Thursday night's FA Youth Cup Third Qualifying Round game between Mossley AFC and North Ferriby United as Mossley's production line runs into overdrive. The performances of 15-year-old midfielder Jake Hibbs have attracted the interest of a number of high-profile clubs in England and Scotland who are keen to keep a close eye on his development. Hibbs, Mossley's star player so far this season, has played eleven of their 12 games this season and has been named Man of the Match four times in the process. And now manager Rob Byrne is expecting a few scouts in attendance for his side's FA Youth Cup clash with North Ferriby as a result of those displays. Byrne said: "The most consistent player we have had this season has been a lad called Jake Hibbs who is only 15. "He has courted a lot of interest from a number of clubs. Everton are the latest ones to come in, Celtic have been to watch him and he has already turned down a request to go to Rotherham. "He will be playing on Thursday." The winners of Thursday's game will host Crewe Alexandra in the First Round Proper and Byrne will need all of his young superstars at their best if they are to face one of the North's best teams in producing young talent. Byrne added: "Crewe, certainly in the North-West, have a reputation of being one of the most successful in developing and churning out quality players. They have done so for several years." Another of Byrne's boys with much promise is Tom Ingham, who started off his playing career at last year's FA Youth Cup Champions Manchester United. And, despite already making his step up into senior football, the flying wing-back will be back with the Under-18s tonight. The manager confirmed: "Tom Ingham has featured for the first team all year but is starting tonight." |