The good news keeps coming for Bristol City. Following a fifth win in six Championship matches, now the club are celebrating one of their young talents.
Attacking midfielder Ayman Benarous has been called up to join the England U17s squad. Originally the City academy player was named on the standby list, but an injury sees Benarous now make the full selection.
Benarous - as we reported recently - was called up to train with the national side at his age level under former City player Kevin Betsy, and now he goes one step further.
The exciting Robins academy talent is one of many, including Sam Pearson, Joe Low and others who have been called in to train with the senior squad under Lee Johnson, and Benarous is another to grab the attention in BS3. It is another fine accolade for the club's academy and the work of Brian Tinnion and co.
Indeed academy manager Gary Probert recently told us that the youngster is certainly one to "excite" the City fans.
"He's an attacker, and he either plays wide or central. Technically he's really strong and he's a left-footer," said Probert to Bristol Live of the player back in November.
Benarous is tipped as one of the players to possibly make it all the way to the first team, following in the footsteps of Lloyd Kelly, Bobby Reid and Joe Bryan.
We spoke to his proud representative who gave us the lowdown on how the talented Benarous is gettiing on at Ashton Gate.
"Ayman Benarous was scouted at the age of 6 years by a now U18 manager Trevor Challis and Kevin Scott," explains Eric Anyan of the JIA Sports Agency.
"Ayman had many opportunities to join a lot of Premier League clubs but chose to play for Bristol City, in the city where he was born.
"From his days growing up, he loved the style of play of the likes of Fernando Torres, Zidane, Messi, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, and took up Brazilian football.
"He's a hard working youngster who feels he is ready for the next step up which is U23 and hopefully future's on the first team bench this season."
Benarous has been involved in several U23s games and it could be that the youngster is sent on loan in the near future.
According to our sources, Lee Johnson rates the fledgling talent very highly. England U17s face Russia and Ukraine in 10 days across three games - and Benarous could get some game time.
Matches take place in Marbella from February 6-10.
"Ayman thought it was a very good experience and training with the first team - he showed them what he was about technically, with his vision and exceptional skills," said Anyan of Benarous' time with the senior squad recently.
"Of course for Ayman, he sees players his own age sitting on the first team bench and he would love the opportunity just to experience it.
"He is a red through and through and can't wait to to play for the first team manager Lee Johnson, as he admires his coaching and managerial skills and he learned a lot at his time there," he added.
Another Robins talent could be working his way up to through the ranks at City.
