Cooper hoping Smith makes an impression at Stoke

Darlington manager Mark Cooper has wished Michael Smith good luck in his trial at Stoke City and said that a move to the Potters would benefit all parties. But Cooper said Stoke are not the only club interested in the Newcastle-born forward, revealing that Bristol City made a move at the end of last season. The offer was turned down by Quakers and the 19-yearold was due to return for preseason training last Thursday, but early last week Stoke asked if they could take a closer look at a player they had watched last season. Smith, scorer of five goals in successive games during one stage in the last campaign, is being monitored at a training camp in Bournemouth. Cooper said: Stoke are very serious about him; if they weren't they wouldn't be letting him train with them and playing him in games. He's with their youth and reserve teams in Bournemouth, and when the first team come back from Austria he'll train with them. Just before pre-season they asked to have a look at him, and why not let him He's 6ft 4in, he's got a goal in him, he's mobile and he's English what club wouldn't be interested If nothing else, if he does come back to us, he'll be really fit after the experience. If he does go to Stoke, with their facilities, he'll have the chance of playing with better players, which would improve him. Good luck to him. Let's hope he earns himself a move and earns the club a few quid as well as proving a few people wrong. Cooper has rated the youngster since he was appointed last summer, a verdict in sharp contrast to Simon Davey, who told Smith he would be released at the end of the 2009-10 season. Davey then changed his mind after Smith scored his first senior goal two days later, though Cooper says Smith is yet to win over supporters. He said: There's one or two clubs interested in him, which some of our fans might be surprised to hear because I know not everyone rates him, which seems to sometimes be the case with the young lads. I'm told people didn't rate Dan Burn when he first came into the team. There was a period last season when Michael scored five goals in five games, so it just shows what can happen if you show a bit of patience. They can earn the club some money. Teams are going to be watching Darlington now and looking for the next Dan Burn. Bristol City's offer was reported yesterday to have been £80,000, and Cooper added: I know that Bristol City made an offer at the end of last season but I don't think there's been another one since. I'm sure the chairman's got a figure in mind. After a day off yesterday, Darlington's players continue their pre-season training today as they build up to the season, which begins on August 13. The first friendly is at home to Newcastle United on Friday, with tickets costing £10 and £5.

Source: Northern_Echo