All eyes on Brown

8:57am Thursday 28th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

SCOUTS from clubs in England and Scotland have been running the rule over James Brown for the last 18 months, and Hartlepool United’s Joel Porter feels the striker has all the attributes to succeed at the highest level.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan personally checked out the Cramlington-born forward during Tuesday night’s memorable 3-1 League Cup triumph over topflight newcomers West Bromwich Albion at Victoria Park.

And while Strachan is weighing up making a substantial bid, with reports mentioning a fee approaching £3m, there are numerous other clubs waiting in the wings, including Middlesbrough, who sent David Mills, one of the club’s recruitment team, to watch the player on Tuesday.

Porter admitted the feeling in the dressing room is that Brown is destined for big things.

“James is an excellent player,”

said Porter. “He could play at the highest level.

Someone has to take a chance on him.

“Left foot, right foot, he can score with both, He’s good in the air, works ever so hard and brings others into play.

There’s not much more you would want from a young player.

“If he can get a chance and start training and playing with the best in the country in the Premier League it will bring even more out of him.”

Brown spent last season playing wide but, following the departure of Ian Moore, he has been handed the chance to shine in his preferred striker’s role.

“I would love to see him up against a John Terry or a Rio Ferdinand to see if he could do what he does against the League One defenders, “ said Porter, who saw Brown give West Brom’s Abdoulaye Meite a torrid time on Tuesday.