Several Premier League clubs are looking at Ebbsfleet’s Shilow Tracey less than two years after he was thrown out of their academy.

Tracey, 17, has spent this week training with Tottenham Hotspur after the Fleet gave them permission to take the midfielder on trial.

Ebbsfleet manager Daryl McMahon has hailed Tracey as “a serious talent” with a great attitude and a willingness to learn.

But he also revealed it took a phonecall from the teenager’s mother to save her son’s career almost before it had begun.

McMahon said: "We had issues at the start, he was turning up late and I got rid of him at the start of July last year because he was late all the time.

"You don’t get anywhere if you turn up late and don’t do the right things. That was what I put to Shilow.

"You can’t turn up when you want, thinking that just because you’ve got ability that’s going to get you anywhere, because it’s not.

"You have to be here on time and work as hard as everyone else.

"About three weeks later, his mum phoned up to get him back in, saying he wouldn’t be late any more and he’s never missed a day since.

"His progression from there to now has been phenomenal. He works really hard at his game. He’s a really grounded boy, he never gets carried away and he likes being challenged."

Tracey scored for Ebbsfleet’s under-18 side in the FA Youth Cup last week and headed to Spurs days later.

McMahon said: "He’s got a couple of clubs interested in him, not just Tottenham.

"Six or seven have phoned up in the last two weeks, wanting to take him in. They’re all Championship clubs and above.

"We hope he does well (at Spurs) but if not, he’ll come back here and I’m sure he’ll be involved with our first team in no time."

Read the full story in the Gravesend Messenger.