Reports from the Midlands suggest Grimsby Town are on the verge of signing Stourbridge defender Jak Hickman. The former Coventry City and Bolton Wanderers can play at full back or wing-back, and is believed to be on trial at Blundell Park.

The 23-year-old came through the ranks at the Sky Blues, gaining experience on loan at Mickleover Sports, before making his senior debut for Coventry in an EFL Trophy tie against Forest Green Rovers in September 2018.

Further loan spells were taken in at Ashton United and Hereford, but the player was then placed on the transfer list by the Sky Blues in July 2019, after making disparaging comments about the club on social media.

Loan spells at Redditch United and Bromsgrove Sporting followed, before the Sandwell-born defender joined Bolton on a one-year deal in August 2020.

He made four league appearances for Wanderers and ended the campaign on loan at King’s Lynn Town, where he made just one appearance because of injury.

Hickman was released by the Trotters in May 2021. He moved to League of Ireland side St Patrick’s Athletic in August 2021, on a short-term deal that ran until the end of the Irish season in November.

The defender helped the Saints win the 2021 FAI Cup Final with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over rivals Bohemian in front of over 37,000 fans at the Aviva Stadium on 28 November.

Just two weeks later, the former Coventry youngster joined Stourbridge on another short-term deal. The Glassboys expressed their displeasure at Hickman and former Mariner Montel Gibson for refusing to play in the club’s FA Trophy tie with Guiseley, having both instead gone on trial to two other clubs.

Gibson responded through his Twitter account saying: “No we did not refuse to play at all! Me and Hickman had a great opportunity to go for a trial to express ourselves which you refused!! We kindly asked for permission to go on a trial which you didn’t allow!”

Stourbridge’s vice-chairman, Andy Bullingham then also took to Twitter and stated that Hickman had told the Glassboys he was not returning from Grimsby for the Glassboys’ game with the Yorkshire club.

Nobody refused. We asked your Agent🤷🏼‍♂️ to put it back a week as the club your registered to wanted you to play in their biggest game of the season. Is it to much to ask. As for Hickman, he chose to call us from the Grimsby and tell us he wasn’t returning to play tonight. Thanks 🤬

— Andy Bullingham (@Bullyawb) January 18, 2022

Hickman would provide ready-made cover for Paul Hurst’s side following the departure of Ryan Sears and injury to Michee Efete.

Picture: courtesy of Coventry City Football Club