Cherries: Howe looking at non-league star Cornick (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cherries: Howe looking at non-league star Cornick

4:36pm Monday 26th November 2012 in Cherries News By Ian Wadley

HOT PROSPECT: Harry Cornick

CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe believes the remarkable rise of Charlie Austin proves the importance of monitoring the non-league scene.

Howe was speaking after confirming that highly-rated Christchurch youngster Harry Cornick had trained with Cherries today.

The teenager has been given a chance to impress the League One club this week and could feature in a friendly against Bristol Rovers tomorrow (1pm).

Howe was the first man to notice Austin's potential when he handed the then Poole Town star a trial with Cherries.

Austin and Howe went on to link up at Burnley after the former Wessex League hotshot had demonstrated his prolific goalscoring qualities with Swindon Town.

Howe says he is always keen to keep a look-out for talent lower down the footballing ladder.

He told the Daily Echo: “As Charlie proves, there are potential gems on your doorstep.

“We would never turn our noses up at the level people are playing at because certain abilities do transform themselves through the levels up through the football pyramid.

“I do think we have to use Charlie as a yardstick to say, potentially, there are players out there and you have to look at them if they come to your attention.”

Cornick's involvement with Cherries, which was first revealed by the Daily Echo via Twitter, comes after the Wessex League ace previously attracted the attention of clubs including Stoke City, Southampton, Fulham, Reading and Portsmouth earlier this season.

Should the young winger/forward play for a Cherries XI against Bristol Rovers tomorrow afternoon, he will be in good company.

Richard Hughes is in line to make his comeback from a hamstring injury in a very strong Cherries team alongside the likes of Brett Pitman, Frank Demouge, Lorenzo Davids, Shwan Jalal and Donal McDermott as Howe gives some of his professionals valuable game-time.

Howe said: “We had a reserve game a few weeks ago but I think it is important that the lads have enough football so when they get their opportunity in the team, they are sharp enough to take it.”

The friendly will be played at either Goldsands Stadium or on Cherries' Kings Park training pitch, with a final decision on the venue due to be confirmed by the club tomorrow morning.