Leiston manager Glenn Driver insists he won’t stand in the way of Ollie Brown and Byron Lawrence after the duo had a trial at National League club Dagenham & Redbridge this week.
Right-back Brown, who joined the Blues in the summer after his release from Needham Market, and ex-Ipswich Town and Colchester midfielder Lawrence, both caught the eye in a friendly game for the Daggers against an experienced Reading side.
The duo have been key figures in Leiston’s rise to the top of the Ryman Premier this season and Driver, in an ideal world, would like to keep hold of the youngsters.
However, the Blues boss, who this week signed former Hearts and Torquay centre-back, Jake Hutchings, from Grays, is keen to see young talent develop and is delighted Brown, who signed a one-year deal in the summer, and Lawrence, who penned a two-year contract, have been spotted.
“It’s not difficult for me, I believe we have got to allow them to play at the highest possible level,” said Driver, whose side are without a game today.
“They are both young boys and want to test themselves against the best and if they do go, we would like to bring in players of their calibre to replace them.”
Lawrence played one game in Ipswich Town’s first-team at the age of 16 in 2012, while Brown has been a regular at Needham Market in recent seasons.
“Would they be a big loss? Of course, but I know Byron is really hungry to get back into the professional game and wants to play higher,” Driver explained.
“Ollie is the same although their (Dagenham’s) approach for him came out of the blue.
“Their scout, Terry Harris, approached me and told me they wanted to have a look at Ollie as well but they didn’t want to take the mickey out of our club and take all our best players.
Driver added: “Oli has come on board and has been unbelievable – I have not seen a better right-back at this level.
“I would be really excited to see how they coped with being full-time professionals. “
Meanwhile, Hutchings is another player Driver is looking to develop.
“He has played against us twice this season and has impressed” said the Blues boss.
“We want to give young lads like Jake a chance to play at this level.”
THREE PAGES OF NON-LEAGUE PREVIEWS IN SATURDAY’S EADT
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