EDWIN Asante-Ahenkorah is on trial with Championship club Birmingham City ahead of a potentially money-spinning deal for Rocester Football Club.
Astute Romans manager Dave Langston tied Asante-Ahenkorah to a contract immediately after Saturday's FA Vase victory over Sporting Khalsa. And City are just one of several clubs eyeing up the in-form striker who has bagged six goals in his last four games for Rocester. Langston said: "Birmingham are not on their own. I know there are other clubs interested. He's 18 years old - the right age - and has two great feet. His left foot is magic and Edwin can turn on a sixpence. He's got a great strike and is very unselfish."
The 18-year-old, who only joined Rocester in the close season, began a full trial at Birmingham earlier this week. But Rocester are not counting their pennies just yet. The manager added: "We are not getting carried away. It all depends how much they want him. We will just have to wait and see. It shows we must be doing something right. We are attracting the right players. Someone will definitely take a chance on Edwin. It's fantastic for him and we wouldn't stand in his way. But it would be nice if we got something for him as well."
Langston insists that Asante-Ahenkorah will not miss a game for the Romans until a move materialises. And the forward will line up alongside Chris Sterling against Studley on Saturday to continue a strike partnership which Langston reckons is the most deadly in the Midland Alliance.
He said: "Chris Sterling and Asante are the best players up front in this league. Sterling got 28 goals in all competitions for us last season. I'd actually say that Sterling is playing better than Asante at the moment. It's the best football he's played since he's been with us."
Rocester are currently the Midland Alliance's top scorers and face a struggling Studley outfit who have tasted victory just once this term. "I thought they'd be decent this year," said Langston. "Their manager went at the end of last season and they have lost a lot of players. I'm not quite sure what to make of them. It would be nice to go there and get a result. Hopefully they will be poor on Saturday."
Rocester have enjoyed a strong start to their Midland Alliance campaign and are fourth in the table - just three points off top spot - despite not playing to their full potential in recent weeks. The Romans boss said: "Even though we've been getting results we've not been playing our best. We have had so many games we've not been training and concentrating on things we've needed to do. Everyone says games are good but we've lost our way a little. It was good to get them back in training and the players responded on Tuesday night. But we are still there or there abouts (in the league). We are stronger than last season and ahead of where we were last season as well. When we are on song we are a match for anyone."
