Blues youngster Pat Webber has joined Vanarama National League Aldershot Town on trial.
The 18-year-old started the Shots’ friendly away against Hampton & Richmond Borough this afternoon at centre-half before moving to left-back, where he has played most of his football with Town’s U23s and U18s, at half-time. The game was won 2-1 by the home side.
The trial will be with a view to a loan to gaining experience during the season ahead with the clubs having a good relationship.
Aldershot boss Gary Waddock played alongside Town manager Mick McCarthy at Millwall and for the Republic of Ireland, while former Blues midfielder Kundai Benyu enjoyed a highly successful spell at the Recreation Ground last season.
Speaking after the game, Waddock said: "I spoke to Mick McCarthy and he’s been very kind and let us have a look at Patrick, so we’ll have a look at him.
"He can play centre-half and left-back. He’s a young lad making his way in the game. We’ll have a look at him [over the] next week and then I’ll report back to Mick and ask Mick his thoughts.”
Webber was among the youngsters involved in Town’s pre-season training camp at the Carton House Hotel in Co Kildare and played the first half of last Saturday’s 5-0 victory over Drogheda United at left centre-half alongside Steven Taylor.
Shots formation this afternoon:
Smith
Alexander, Cook, Webber, Shaw
Nabay, Gallagher
Kanu, Mensah, Taylor
McClure– Aldershot Town FC (@OfficialShots) July 15, 2017
Shots second-half formation:
Smith
Alexander, Cook, Lyons-Foster, Webber
Gallagher, Nabay
Fenelon, Mensah, Taylor
Rendell– Aldershot Town FC (@OfficialShots) July 15, 2017
Webber, who is the son of Damian Webber, who played in defence for McCarthy's Millwall side in the mid-nineties, joined the Blues' academy from Ryman League Premier Division side Worthing, his hometown club, after a trial at the end of 2014/15.
He featured regularly in the U23s last season and was on the bench for the first team on three occasions but without making it on to the field.