Harrow Borough's festive preparations could be thrown into turmoil after star player Robin Shroot ignored pleas by club bosses urging him not to go on trial with Birmingham City.
The Northern Ireland U21 winger has been in electric form for Borough and his goal-laden performances have attracted the attentions of several clubs including Hartlepool United, Dagenham & Redbridge, Brighton and Derby County.
However, Derby's midland rivals Birmingham stole a march on their rivals by giving the London-born youngster a five-day trial, which was due to conclude tomorrow (Friday).
But Shroot could be risking his good relationship with Harrow manager David Howell after he agreed to use an agent to engineer a dream move to the professional game.
"Robin has gone on trial with Birmingham but he didn't go with my blessing," said Howell this week. "People close to him are advising him and they have hooked him up with an agent, who in my opinion has not got the best of reputations in football or Robin's best interests at heart."
Howell has helped nurture Shroot since he was deemed surplus to requirements at AFC Wimbledon, who still holds his registration and would be eligible for compensation should a deal materialise with one of his prospective suitors.
That fact, says Howell, gives less weight to his argument that Shroot would be better staying at Earlsmead for the time being.
"Robin wanted to go up to Birmingham as he feels it is an opportunity for him," added Howell. "I disagree but then he is not a contracted player (with Harrow). Birmingham are an ex-Premiership club and Robin feels he has got a chance there. This agent would like to put Robin out there for the highest bidder."
Shroot did his chances of earning a move to St Andrews no harm by scoring for their reserves in a friendly against Cheltenham Town on Tuesday.
"He looks a good footballer and he's going to continue to train with us," Blues boss Alex McLeish told the Birmingham Mail today. "He's a nice kid, he's confident, he's coming up to 21. You'd be looking at someone that age to be getting into your squad."
Howell, who admitted any such deal involving the agent would leave a 'very, very sour taste in my mouth', is for now switching his attentions to Saturday's Ryman Premier clash with Hastings United at Earlsmead.
Borough, who registered their first victory of the season at Hastings in September, were ditched out of the FA Trophy by the same opponents last month and Saturday should prove to be an intriguing match.
"Saturday is just about us," said the Harrow manager. "If we have the right mental attitude then I am confident we will do well. If we don't, then we'll lose Ñ it's that  simple.
"We've played Hastings twice already this season and that is why this is an even game."
Harrow, who were due to host Metropolitan Police in the London Senior Cup on Tuesday as the Observer went to press, will be without midfielder Jamie Lawrence until the New Year after the veteran had seven stitches in a knee wound he suffered in last week's 6-2 County Cup win over Enfield