Stratford Town boss Carl Adams has confirmed trialist striker Ben Stephens will play for the Blues’ U23s in the rearranged U23s game against Aston Villa at Hednesford Town’s Keys Park next Thursday (KO 7pm).
The match was originally scheduled to be played at the same venue on Monday but was postponed due to overnight snow.
Stephens, 20, who previously played for Gerard Nash’s team in their 5-2 defeat at Colchester, and another trialist, Welling United keeper Kleton Perntreou, 23, were both due to start.
"By all accounts, they have been happy with Ben from what he’s done in training, but they want another look at him in a high-tempo game situation,” Adams told the Stratford Observer.
"He deserves his chance and he is hungry for it. In the last few months, he has come on in leaps and bounds.”
Stephens, who was previously with Oadby Town and Kettering, has scored 18 times for the Evostik South Premier League side this season having moved up front having played wide earlier in his career.