Coventry City cool interest in Stratford Town striker Stephens

COVENTRY City appear to have cooled their interest in Stratford Town forward Ben Stephens.

The 20-year-old was due to spend two days on trial at the end of last week, with a view to playing for the Sky Blues' under-23 side against Cardiff City on Monday.

However, there was no sign of Stephens, who instead was named in the Town starting XI at Kings Langley on Saturday.

When asked about the situation, the club's under-23 boss Jason Farndon told the Coventry Telegraph: "He’s not been in.

“I didn’t know so much about him – I have seen a lot of press but we don’t conduct our business like that.

“If we have someone in on trial there’s not a big fanfare about bringing players in.”

Asked if he thought the situation was all a bit strange, Farndon admitted: “Yes, very.

“But if someone is trying to move someone on then you get used as a vehicle with rumours etc.

“We have got lots of strikers at this club. Obviously we have Jordan Ponticelli who is around about that age and we think is going to be a top player, so as I said, we do our triallists and transfer business in private.”

Stephens is due to be heading to EFL Championship side Ipswich Town on a two-day trial later this week.