McCombe targeted by top clubs

Last updated : 04 March 2002 By Luke Thornhill
In a poll published in Sunday's Observer Sport Monthly McCombe was listed tenth in a list of top players in the Nationwide league.

The list is of the stars of the future, "This isn't about established pros like Eyal Berkovic or Robert Prosinecki, or about Scotland's big names: it's a focus on the next five years - the players who experts believe will go on to have their own," wrote journalist David Hills who compiled the list after speaking to the country's top scouts.

"To scouts across the country McCombe is among the most exciting defensive prospects in the game," wrote Hills.

Scouts quoted in the feature say that top managers `drool over him` whilst another was in no doubt he'd make it at the top level.

'Scunthorpe always seem to find a player,` one scout was quoted as saying, and we can only agree.

Praise must go to youth team coach Paul Wilson who has done an incredible job on limited resources, and is probably the most vital member of staff for the future of the club.

The top ten prospects outside the Premiership, according the the OSM are..

1.Shaun Wright-Phillips, Manchester City.
2.Clinton Morrison, Crystal Palace.
3.Jolean Prescott, Wolverhampton Wanderers.
4.Jason Koumas, Tranmere Rovers.
5.Robert Earnshaw, Cardiff City.
6.Bobby Zamora, Brighton And Hove Albion.
7.Richard Sadlier, Millwall.
8.Nathan Ellington, Bristol Rovers.
9.Roman Larrieu, Plymouth Argyle.
10.Jamie McCombe, Scunthorpe United.

You can read the full article online here.