Young AFC Telford United striker Dave Howarth could be bound for the Premier League – after earning a trial at Blackburn Rovers.

The teenage graduate from Telford’s youth ranks will spend a few days training with the Ewood Park club and will also make an appearance for their youth team.

It is a big opportunity for Shrewsbury-based Howarth, who has only just broken into the Bucks’ first team squad after a free-scoring start to the Midland Floodlit Youth League campaign.

The youngster was an unused substitute for the Blue Square North side in their 0-0 draw with Ilkeston at the New Bucks Head on Saturday.

“Dave’s going to Blackburn for a couple of days and we’ll see how he gets on,” said boss Rob Smith.

“He’s training with them and then playing in a game for the youth team and we wish him well.

“I only saw him for the first time on Thursday night (when he trained with Telford’s first team) and he looks like a good lad.

“It’s a long way from the youth team to playing in the Blue Square North but we were short of numbers on Saturday so we put him on the bench.” Meanwhile, Smith is more concerned with how to get his senior strikers to start finding the target on a regular basis.

Last season’s top scorer, Danny Carey-Bertram, was still to get off the mark this term ahead of today’s Bank Holiday trip to Gloucester City.

Frustrated

And Smith admitted the minor drought was starting to play on the former Hereford and Forest Green man’s mind.

“Danny’s a frustrated lad and he needs a goal to get him started,” said Smith.

“I think he just needs one to get him going, but to get that one you have to graft hard and it’s not quite happening for him.”

Skipper Stuart Whitehead was expected to miss today’s game at Gloucester after aggravating his knee injury against Ilkeston, though Smith is hopeful he will be fit for next weekend’s visit of Harrogate.

l Leicester striker Ricky Sappleton, who ended last season on loan with the Bucks, has joined League Two side Macclesfield on loan until January.

He made his debut in the Silkmen’s 3-1 defeat at home to Rotherham on Saturday.