Darboe trials with League One side Scunthorpe United

Gambia U20 international Alieu Darbo was among several trialists who played in a behind-closed-doors friendly for Scunthorpe United in a defeat to Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday.

The Yorkshire side [Doncaster Rovers] were 2-0 victors in the match at the Iron’s [Scunthorpe United] training ground in Gunness, but the performance of the trial players - as well as game time for Damien Mozika, Cliff Byrne and Josh Lillis as they return from injury - were more important than the result.

The trialists included Gambia U20 midfielder Alieu Darbo, who joined the Iron on trial earlier in the month but has also interested Premier League side Sunderland where he had trial earlier on.

He is a free agent, having previously played in France for Le Mans, but reports are that he is unlikely to get a work permit. There were also two defender Clevid Dikamona, 21, who plays in Ligue 2 for Le Havre and left-midfielder Ronnie Gibbons, 20, who plays in the Cypriot league for Alki Larnaca having come through Nottingham Forest’s youth setup.

“We’ve also got a number of trialists who we need to make a decision on including Darboe,” said Alan Knill, the Iron manager, speaking to the club’s official website. “We’ve not been able to see them in a game except this friendly, so we’ll have a look and make a decision then.”

“It’s mostly really for Damo, Josh and Cliff to get a game, but we'll have a look at the trialists as well.”