Rising star may spurn Hornets

12:42pm Tuesday 29th May 2007

WATFORD are sweating over the future of Harry Forrester, their hottest young prospect.

The England Under-16 star is yet to sign a scholarship form and is understood to be considering his options.

Forrester was all set to move down to Watford from his family home in Stony Stratford at the end of the school year and sign a two-year scholarship deal with the Hornets.

But sources in Northampton claim the 16-year-old, along with a number of the club's younger players, are believed to be upset by the sacking of Chris Cummins, the assistant Academy coach who has overseen Forrester's development since he joined the club as a schoolboy and has become something of a mentor for the youngster.

Cummins was sacked in January, two weeks before Ashley Young was sold for a club record fee to Aston Villa, and he is believed to be taking legal advice.

It is understood Cummins claims his contract entitled him to two per cent of the £8m - rising to £9.65m - fee Villa paid to take the Under-21 international to Villa Park.

During his ten years at the club, Cummins harnessed the talents of Young, Hameur Bouazza, Adrian Mariappa, Al Bangura, Lloyd Doyley, Jordan Parkes, Alex Campana and Theo Robinson, who have all progressed through the ranks to feature in the first-team.

Forrester clearly features in Aidy Boothroyd's long-term plans. The manager gave the youngster a taste of the first team in pre-season friendlies against Northwood and Wycombe Wanderers last summer and also included him as part of the travelling squad to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford in January.

His possible departure would represent a huge blow and a number of top Premiership clubs would be alerted to the availability of a player who is highly thought of by England at youth level.

He has been a regular for the Under-16's this season, featuring in the triumphant Victory Shield team, an international friendly tournament in France where he scored the winner in the semi-final and the recent international against Spain at the new Wembley Stadium.

When questioned about Cummins' claims last month, chief executive Mark Ashton said: "It would be inappropriate to comment upon the employment terms existing between the club and its staff, past and present".