Yahoo News Chris Davies runs the rule over Birmingham City whizzkids in pre-season training
Chris Davies will take a look at a selection of Birmingham City’s young talent in pre-season.
Blues reported for training under their new boss on Monday morning and a clutch of the club’s youngsters have been invited to the first team facility in Henley-in-Arden. Davies plans to run the rule over them to see whether they are ready for a place in his squad in the upcoming campaign.
Unsurprisingly, 17-year-old sensation Romelle Donovan is one of those Davies is working with at close quarters. Donovan performed superbly for the under-21s last season and broke into the first team during Wayne Rooney’s brief stint as manager.
Donovan ended the season by earning his first call-up to England’s under-18 side and marked his Three Lions debut with a goal against Northern Ireland.
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Junior Dixon was the other headline act for Blues’ second string last term. The powerfully-built striker scored 19 goals across all competitions for Steve Spooner’s side as they narrowly missed out in the Professional Development League National Final to Sheffield United.
The captain of that team, Josh Home, is also getting a shot under Davies. Home is a technically sound midfielder who impressed John Eustace last pre-season.
Brandon Khela, who was handed his first Blues outings by Eustace last year, is out to impress after a loan spell at Ross County which saw him score in the game that retained their Scottish Premiership status.
Goalkeeper Brad Mayo is around the first team after penning a new contract and defender Tommy Fogarty is another one to watch after his first loan at Ebbsfleet in the National League.
Davies is likely to include a group of youngsters in the squad for Blues’ pre-season training camp in Austria next week. Blues begin their friendly fixtures in Austria against FC Paderborn 07 on July 13.
