Barwell youngster Brady Hickey will spend three days training with Town, the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier Division side’s manager Jimmy Ginnelly has revealed.

Blues boss Mick McCarthy contacted the non-league club about the highly-rated 19-year-old central midfielder, while another Barwell youngster Alex Tomkinson is set to play for Birmingham’s U21s next week.

“It’s great for the two lads, obviously I don’t want to lose them but it’s a great opportunity for them both,” Ginnelly told the Hinckley Times.

Hickey, a former England schoolboy international, joined Barwell in the summer having previously been with another Midlands non-league side, St Andrew’s.

A student at Loughborough University, Hickey has scored 10 goals and claimed six assists in 30 appearances this season and has been described as a "non-league version of Frank Lampard” by his current manager.

Hickey’s performances have attracted the interest of a host of clubs in addition to the Blues, including Middlesbrough, Leeds, Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday, Wolves, Burnley, Mansfield and Oxford. He recently spent time on trial with Leicester City.

Town manager McCarthy has previously had notable successes when dipping into non-league having signed Michael Kightly from Grays when Wolves manager and picking up Tyrone Mings from Chippenham Town for the Blues for £10,000 and selling him in an £8 million deal in the summer.

Grays Athletic striker Dumebi Dumaka recently spent time training with the Blues but the Town boss opted not to take his interest any further, while Ebbsfleet youngster Shilow Tracey played a game for the U21s but picked up an injury and was set to return for a further stint at Playford Road.

Photo: Action Images

PavlovsCat added 14:55 - Dec 17 Oh, no. Not another, risk-free gamble from a lower league. Why can't we spend big money on an established journeyman, seeking his final wage packet? Booo. McCarthy out!
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KingPablo added 15:06 - Dec 17 Hickey? I heard he sucks....
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carsey added 15:22 - Dec 17 I accept McCarthy has had the odd success with youngsters from non league football but so have many other managers and look at all those recently released because they didn't work out. I would far rather be reading reports that Town have spent a few quid on a proper right back or goal keeper to stop us leaking goals. This lad may be the next Jamie Vardy but right here right now is what matters at the moment.

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mutters added 15:24 - Dec 17 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3325489/Leicester-trial-non-le
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weevil added 15:43 - Dec 17 @KingPablo, if there was an emoticon for tumbleweed, it would be in massive use, let me try: .........-@-......... Close enough.
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Green_Army added 16:23 - Dec 17 Put that rod away PavlovsCat!
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jas0999 added 16:35 - Dec 17 Always worth a punt, but generally few will work out. Then again, Mings didn't turn out too badly. Still think we need to add some quality in January though. Appreciate some don't, but I'm not changing my opinion.
3

TimmyH added 16:44 - Dec 17 In today's recruiting climate if he really was 'non-leagues Frank Lampard' I'm sure he wouldn't be having a trial at this club and Premiership clubs would be eyeing him up. I can see his future here if we did sign him - out on loan. No excuses time to splash some money in January but with this upturn in form of recent weeks I'm not sure ME will.
1

HarryS_H added 17:08 - Dec 17 Pavlovs cat because it's not January?? Mick stay!!!!
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Jimmy86 added 17:48 - Dec 17 Sounds promising, especially given Mick's record of bringing in Non league players. I still remember when we signed Shumi, who was described as the Macedonian Steven Gerrard.... haha
1

footyblue added 18:20 - Dec 17 what a 37 year old we are bound to sign him then................................................................
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Stato added 18:24 - Dec 17 @jas not saying I disagree with you but surely nobody here thinks we need more midfielders or forwards and in terms of numbers we appear to have enough bodies at the back too. If Chambers gets injured then Parr will fill in which only leaves the keepers and no point in wasting breath on that subject as Mick clearly happy with what he has got. So the way I'm reading it is that the only way anyone is coming in will be to replace someone going and other than Sears who else is likely to attract interest in Jan as all our good ones are either injured or out of form. In other words don't hold your breath on quality additions in Jan coz I reckon the budget is locked down. Would love to be wrong.

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clive_baker added 20:17 - Dec 17 Disagree about the right back. Chambers is playing well there. I feel like we could do with another striker though, especially with 3 starting and McGoldrick being so injury prone, we lack an option off the bench.
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wayway added 20:45 - Dec 17 Josh Windass at Fleetwood Town? Oh no, we would have to pay a fee for him. Heaven forbid
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Slambo added 21:39 - Dec 17 @PavlovsCat Don't worry mate, I got the sarcasm...
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ronnyd added 23:01 - Dec 17 What was Amir Karic, the Slovenian, billed as when he arrived?
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Dissboyitfc added 23:16 - Dec 17 was it the million dollar man?
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BrettenhamBlue added 01:43 - Dec 18 Amir Karic is so much better than our main midfielder on the bench though. Worlds apart. Having seen A LOT of non-league football this season (like every weekend as its a cheaper experience) there are midfielders in it that could easily take that subs place. In fact most of the midfielders I've seen can take that place. Ross Allen (Guernsey) is a striker/midfield player I would highly recommend.

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BrentwoodBlue78 added 14:17 - Dec 18 PavlovsCat perhaps you should take up fishing. Clearly you need a new hobby, as there's no point in you going to the pub anymore. 😉
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