Robins takes another left turn as he signs young full-back Sam

NON-LEAGUE ‘GREAT PROPECT‘ McCALLUM SPOTTED BY CITY AT VARDY ACADEMY

COVENTRY City are set to sign a third left-back of the summer after spotting the talented defender at the Jamie Vardy Academy.

Sky Blues boss Mark Robins has already drafted in Junior Brown from Shrewsbury and Brandon Mason from Watford as he’s overhauled the position, with Ryan Haynes being sold to the Shrews and Chris Stokes joining League Two Bury on a free transfer.

And the manager is now set to bring in one for the future with highly rated England schoolboy Sam McCallum who was last year plying his trade with Herne Bay FC of the Isthmian League.

The teenage full-back was spotted at the V9 Academy set up by England striker Jamie Vardy to champion nonleague talent, and looks to have earned himself a deal with the Sky Blues.

“We have signed two left-backs and there is a third one joining the 23s squad,” revealed Robins.

“He’s a 17-year-old, Sam McCallum, who has come from the Vardy Academy.

“That’s nothing to do with me, in all fairness, it’s something the recruitment department are looking at, making sure the players we need are brought so that we can develop them.”

Chris Badlan is City’s new head of recruitment, having taken over from Tommy Widdrington towards the end of last season.

He joined the club from Norwich City where he had been Head of European scouting, having previously been Head of Emerging Talent at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

McCallum, meanwhile, has been training with Jason Farndon’s development squad this summer and played for the Under-23s in the 4-2 win against Bedworth United last Tuesday, and again in the 1-0 win at Nuneaton on Saturday.

Asked about the teenager, Farndon said: “He’s a good player and a deal is there for him to be done in the next few weeks.

“He’s still an apprentice but we’re going to sign him for the Under-23s. He was at the V9 Academy with Morgan Williams.”

As for his best position, he added: “Sam’s a left-back. He’s a project for us who we’re really going to push. He’ll play in the Under-23s all season.

“He needs lots of things ironing out but he’s a great, great prospect – it’s quite exciting actually.”

n Dujon Sterling was involved in England Under-19s European Championship 3-2 win against Turkey yesterday.

Right-back Sterling, who has joined the Sky Blues on a season long loan from Chelsea, started for Paul Simpson’s Young Lions in Finland.

Tom Bayliss remained on the bench, though, but will hope to get a chance against Ukraine (July 20) or France (July 23) in the group stages.