NON-LEAGUE gem Rob Harvey is on the radar of Championship side Millwall.

The Brightlingsea Regent midfielder had a trial at Ipswich Town last season before spending time with West Ham in October.

Now his dreams of turning professional have been given fresh hope by the Lions, who have been tracking his progress since September.

Scouts have been at R's games and Millwall made contact with manager Tom Rothery last week, inviting Harvey to train with their under-23s on Thursday and Friday.

After gaining positive feedback, he was asked to train again today and he is due to play in an in-house fixture tomorrow.

“I've been speaking with Millwall’s head of recruitment, Alex Aldridge, since October and I've also been in conversations with Rob and his parents," said Rothery.

"As a club, we're excited he's been offered this opportunity and wish him the best of luck.

"Rob's a really well-rounded young man and has impressed so far at Millwall.

"Time will tell what happens from this point but we're extremely proud of what he's doing.

"He’s eager to learn and develop and is always asking questions on how he can improve.

"He takes all the information on board that (assistant manager and head coach) Pip (Boyland) and I try to give him.

"He’s a fine young man and someone that conducts himself superbly at all times.

"Whatever the future brings, Rob has an exciting future in the game."

West Bergholt-based Harvey, a former student at Colchester’s Philip Morant School and College who graduated through the Colne Football Academy, scored Brightlingsea's winning goal in their Bostik League premier division victory at Kingstonian on Saturday.

Rothery believes his club offer a great shop window for young players with the "dream and ambition" of turning pro.

Football League scouts are often in attendance at the Taydal Stadium.

"If I can help push players up through the leagues then great, because I know they've got that ability," he said.

“It’s the same for everyone here and not just Rob.

“Everyone should be striving to be the best they can be, either by moving up with the club, as has happened in the past, or naturally outgrowing the club and moving onto bigger and better things.

“I don’t want players here who are just content to stay at this level.

“I don’t want them to be satisfied with that.

"I want them to become better and we’re at that level now where other clubs – professional clubs, in some instances - come and watch players.

“It’s a great shop window for all the players and everyone has to have that dream and ambition.

“One of my favourite quotes is from Mohammad Ali, who said that to become a champion you have to believe you’re a champion.

“You have to believe in yourself and you have to take that belief out onto the pitch. Some of the boys are starting to do that."