WANDERERS have handed a trial to Arsenal youth striker Jay Beckford with a view to next season.

The former Leyton Orient youth product was snapped up by Arsene Wenger’s talent spotters as a 15-year-old in a blaze of publicity but injuries have limited his chance to progress at the Emirates.

He has played for England at Under-15s level and featured half a dozen times for the Gunners’ Under-18s in the Premier League.

Beckford played the first half of Wanderers’ 3-0 defeat at Birmingham City alongside a handful of other trialists including West Brom pair Mylo Hall and Liam Morrison.

Matty Elsdon, a former England Under-17s defender who came through the ranks at Middlesbrough, was also in a new-look team at Birmingham’s Wast Hills training base.

David Lee’s side have all-but booked their place in the end-of-season play-offs but saw their goal difference take a knock in a fairly one-sided affair.

The Blues took a 2-0 lead into the break with goals from Jack Storer and trialist Jorge Akers and then extended their advantage through Corey O’Keefe.

Wanderers hold a two-point lead over Sheffield Wednesday, who still have two games remaining against Colchester United and Burnley. They are also six ahead of Sheffield United, who could theoretically draw level on points and have better goal difference.

Lee’s side has one game remaining, at Ipswich Town on Monday, and would face a home semi-final if they keep top spot.