Japanese starlet set for Manchester City trial

Manchester City are set to hand Japanese starlet Hideki Ishige a trial at the Etihad Stadium.

Shimizu S-Pulse have confirmed that the 18-year-old midfielder will train with the Citizens, according to The Daily Mirror, with the former Asian Young Player of the Year looking to impress over a three-day period.

Reports in the Japanese media at the start of November revealed that Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini had planed to bring the teenager to the club, although speculation over the Premier League champions making an offer at the time appear to have been unfounded.

The trial is with a view to a permanent move, however, which means big-spending City could add the Asian starlet when his short-term stint ends on January 5th.

Were Manchester City to sign the player, Ishige would give the club a fantastic opportunity to market themselves in Asia - the holy grail of untapped potential for many Premier League clubs.