Non-league duo Michael Bryan and Ryan Bird will join npower League Two giants Portsmouth for pre-season training on Monday. Bryan was plying his trade in the Conference North with Corby Town last season. The 23-year-old has Football League pedigree, however, after coming through the ranks at Watford and being released by Queens Park Rangers as a teenager. Bryan has also picked up two full Northern Ireland caps and has represented his country at various other age groups. The winger had a trial at AFC Bournemouth earlier this year before switching to Corby following spells at Northamptonshire rivals Brackley Town and Daventry Town. Bird will return for a second trial with Pompey after impressing during a period with the Blues last season. The striker has established himself as one of non-League footballâs hottest goalscoring properties at Burnham. The 24-year-old smashed forty-one goals last season as his side stormed to the Southern League Division One Central title. Despite the fact that is four tiers below the Football League, a host of sides are keeping tabs on the 6`4â hit man, with Wycombe and newly-promoted duo Newport County and Mansfield Town all said to be keen on the forward. Portsmouth boss Guy Whittingham knows exactly what it takes to step up into League football after playing at non-League level.
This could prove to be a shrewd move by Cpl Punishment. Better to get some promising younger players than elderly journeymen
