THACKLEY manager Pat McGuire says he would be extremely proud if his teenage striker Asa Mitchell made a permanent move to Rotherham United following his current trial there.

He admitted that he would love to keep the youngster at Dennyfield, but said he has a lot of faith in the other impressive forwards at the club.

Mitchell's trial at the League One side began on Monday and McGuire is desperate for him to succeed, to the point where he is unlikely to risk him in today's Toolstation Northern Counties East League derby at Liversedge to avoid damaging his chances at The Millers.

The Dennyboys manager said: "If we can develop players here so they can move to a higher level then that's great. It looks good for us too.

"My only issue is that there's no Under-23s set up for Asa at Rotherham so he'd sign on there on first team terms really. Is that a little too soon for him? I hope not.

"On the other hand, men's football is good for young lads and puts them ahead of academy players I think, as that isn't as competitive. In men's football, it's all about getting the result.

"I've been speaking to Asa every day since he went on trial, and I know he's got a game lined up for Rotherham's reserves on Monday, so he might not be there for the Sedge game.

"I'd hate for him to pick up an injury which would see him miss out on playing on Monday, as I've got his best interests at heart.

"Selfishly, I'd like to have him here, but if we can help a player like Asa reach professional level, then you'd have to say well done to him."

Mitchell has been afforded the chance to play at Thackley this season due to parent club Farsley Celtic's promotion to the Vanarama National League North.

McGuire said fellow striker Jack Normanton is in a similar situation due to Brighouse Town moving up a level, and he has backed Normanton and several other forwards to step up to the plate if Mitchell gets his dream move into league football.

The Dennyboys boss said: "We picked up Asa as an unknown from Farsley's Under-17s last season and he did so well they brought him back.

"But they got promoted and he needed game time again, it's exactly the same with Jack and Brighouse.

"We've got a glut of good strikers at the club. There's (ex-Sheffield Wednesday) striker Adam Muller, Ben Grech-Brooksbank and Jack.

"On top of that we've got a couple coming back from injury. First there's Dan Broadbent, who was an ex-pro at Huddersfield Town.

"We lose him to cricket in the summer as he's his team's captain and he gets more money there too. So we didn't get him back until September and then he got a knock in training.

"But he was on the bench last Saturday and he'll be involved again this week. We've also got Nicky Matthews returning too, and those two are almost back at full fitness."