A FORMER Everton youth team-mate of Wayne Rooney is today on trial with Ipswich Town.Sean Doherty, who played alongside Gary Roberts at Accrington Stanley earlier this season, is looking to clinch a deal with the Blues in the summer when he becomes a free agent.

By Derek Davis

A FORMER Everton youth team-mate of Wayne Rooney is today on trial with Ipswich Town.

Sean Doherty, who played alongside Gary Roberts at Accrington Stanley earlier this season, is looking to clinch a deal with the Blues in the summer when he becomes a free agent.

Town manager Jim Magilton, who was last night working with BBC Northern Ireland as his country entertained Sweden in a European Championship qualifier, said: “I know Sean's dad well and he is a friend of Gary's but really we have invited him down because he is a lad with real pedigree.

“He was in the same youth side as Wayne Rooney at Everton and he went to Fulham but never really got a chance.

“Sean is a free agent and this was a good opportunity for him to have a look at us and for us to see him at close quarters.”

Left-winger Doherty was a promising youngster who won seven caps for England youth teams but after failing to make it at Fulham after a controversial move there from Everton, he had a spell in Holland with ADO Den Haag.

The 22-year-old also had stints with Blackpool and Port Vale and a loan spell at Southport before making the last of his 18 appearances for Accrington Stanley as a late sub against Hereford last weekend.

n HIGHLY-rated young Blues prospect Tommy Smith has helped England Under-17s qualify for the European Championship after a 2-1 win against Serbia & Montenegro.

The Academy defender, who will turn 17 on Saturday, played 90 minutes in England's victory, which clinched John Peacock's side a place in May's finals, to be held in Belgium.

Smith, originally from Manchester, could also have represented New Zealand after his family emigrated there. He joined the Blues from Down Under, last summer.

The imposing centre half is tipped to break into the Ipswich Town first team before the end of the season.