Liam McDonald hails Hednesford Town youngster Cohen Bramall ahead of Arsenal move

The 20-year-old is believed to be on the verge of signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Gunners after impressing chief Arsene Wenger on trial.

McDonald, who recruited Bramall while in charge of the Pitmen in May, said: "It's a great story for Cohen and for Hednesford, and for the chairman (Steve Price) who backed me to get him on a contract even though he probably did not know much about him.

"I have spoke to Cohen and I reminded him of when he came along to Hednesford with his mum and dad.

"We had a plan of his development, and he said to me that he could play as a right winger, on the left wing or as a left-back.

"I said to him that left-back was where I was looking at. He might have been not as keen as me, with his pace, you would like to burst forward.

"He was a dream to work with over pre-season with his fitness levels and his sheer speed. To look at him now, I reminded him of that and he believed in me to put him at left back, and believed in himself."

Bramall, who played for the likes of Market Drayton Town and Newcastle Town prior to his move to Keys Park, impressed in the Evo-Stik Premier and has also had spells on trial at Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday.

McDonald, who left Hednesford in October to take charge of National League side Solihull Moors, added: "It is his journey and it is credit to the hard work he has put in. As the manager who took him to Hednesford, I am so excited for him. For me, it would be one of my proudest moments.

"He is a nice lad and if it wasn't for Hednesford, he wouldn't be where he is now.

"He is humble and I think that will take him far – he realises that Hednesford have played a big part."

Meanwhile, Hednesford have extended the loan of Kidderminster Harriers midfielder George Forsyth until February 4.