THE Football League awaits for Weston-super-Mare starlet Bradley Ash after talks began with an unnamed club over a potential transfer.

Ash, 19, recently enjoyed a two-week trial at SkyBet Championship side Birmingham City, but the Mercury understands the bidders for the forward’s signature play in a lower division.

Weston manager Ryan Northmore told the Mercury he had hoped to have the 14-goal forward back on loan for the rest of the season, but his likely destination is too far north to make it possible.

Ash has become arguably the most prominent player in the short history of the club’s academy since making his debut in August 2013, four months after his 17th birthday.

He scored his first goal in December of that year and has been a near ever-present in Northmore’s side this campaign, recently scoring six goals in four games, including a first career hat-trick.

Northmore said: “It’s a big moment for Brad and we are going to get to a point where the interest in him turns into a firm offer, and we are getting close to that point.

“If it does happen, that’s when we need to be in a position where it’s right for him, us and the club putting their hand in their pocket.”

Ash has scored nine of Weston’s 26 league goals this season, and Northmore said he was well aware of the impact losing an important member of his squad could have on their prospects.

He added: “Nearly half of our goals have come from Brad, and while we never want to stand in his way we don’t want to be put in a position where we could end up losing out and getting relegated as a result.

“But we are a club who likes to develop from within, and we have got to find the right balance between safeguarding ourselves on a Saturday and looking to get the next player through as well.”

Weston’s next game sees them host Hayes and Yeading at the Woodspring Stadium on Saturday (January 2), with kick-off is at 3pm. Ash could have found his new club by that point, with the January transfer window opening at midnight that day.