HORNDEAN youngster Benny Read is on trial with Championship club Sheffield United.

Read (20) is on trial with the Blades this week, and he played the full 90 minutes for Sheffield United’s under-23s as they beat Bolton Wanderers’ under-23s 4-0 on Monday.

Horndean manager Michael Birmingham is delighted for his player.

Birmingham said: “Sheffield United are a massive club. Even if nothing comes of it for Benny, he’s getting a great experience.”

Read was a winger when he arrived at Five Heads Park and has since been converted into a full-back, and Birmingham is delighted with the progress the player has made with the Deans.

Birmingham said: “Benny has done extremely well. He’s a good little player.

“He has unbelievable pace, which helps as a full-back. His speed gets him away from players.”

The Deans are flying high in the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division this season, and Horndean’s boss believes there could also be other opportunities in the future for some of the other talented youngsters at the club.

He said: “It’s up to all my youngsters to prove themselves, as there will be people watching us play.

“As a club we give youngsters a really good chance, and it is testament to the players. As staff we can only pass on information and help them, but it’s up to the players to perform and they deserve all the credit.”