WORCESTER City hope their blossoming relationship with Football League side Cheltenham Town can only grow stronger.

Centre-half Grant Horton has particularly caught the eye after joining on work experience from the Robins along with fellow 17-year-old Aaron Basford.

City assistant boss Ashley Vincent, who has played and coached at Cheltenham, said: “They bring a bit of full-time quality. They are quite well-drilled, polished and fit boys.

"Now they are in need of learning men’s football.

“I worked with them both in the under 16s at Cheltenham as their coach.

“The gaffer came to watch them a few weeks ago and we felt they could add something to our squad.

“They were fantastic against Bromsgrove (in last week's 3-2 win in the Worcestershire FA Senior Urn). When you think Grant was up against the top scorer from the league above he did very well.

“As an attacker in those games it is fine, the leash is let off. But as a defender up against experienced forwards who get goals he defended very well and read the game brilliantly.

“That will help his confidence going forward and if we can add to the development of these Cheltenham lads then the relationship might develop to a point where they send their players to us. That would be fantastic."

After Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Wolverhampton Sporting Community, Vincent added: "Grant has only just turned 17 and he's going to be one hell of a player.

"He won't have experienced anything like that in having to win a game of football in poor conditions instead of developing.

"He'll learn more from that than he probably has in the last three years of his education. We've got some boys like that (on City's books) as well."

The young duo are set to feature in the Midland League Cup third round at sixth-placed Division One side Studley on Tuesday (7.45pm).