Kane Smith has played against Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City

Hitchin Town youngster Kane Smith has been on trial with Premier League side Crystal Palace.

The defender, who is 19, was invited to play in a friendly game for Palace’s U21s last week against Charlton Athletic, and was invited back to train with the club this week before he featured in a game against Cardiff City on Tuesday.

Palace boss Alan Pardew was himself a player who came through the non-league ranks before earning a deal with the Eagles in 1987, and in fact he played against current Hitchin boss Mark Burke when Pardew was at Dulwich Hamlet and Yeovil Town.

Palace have a history of bringing through non-league players, from Ian Wright in the mid-1980s to the signing of striker Keshi Anderson from Barton Rovers just last season.

Hitchin hope to hear whether Smith, who signed for the club in December 2014 from Biggleswade Town and is a product of the Luton Town Academy, has earned himself a deal in the next few days.

The full-back’s performances this season for the Canaries, who play in the Southern Premier League, have caught the eye of scouts and agents, and Burke says his trial at a top flight club is a good reflection of the hard work the Canaries are doing in bringing players through.

“He’s done very well for himself, and the two games he’s played for Crystal Palace he’s impressed,” Burke told the Comet.

“Hopefully we are building a reputation, and we’re giving youngsters a chance.

“We can’t afford the big players and we have to grow our own, and we have a number of other good lads at the club too.

“Kane is of course the flavour of the month at the moment, and it’s a hot topic players going from non-league football not just into the Football League but also the Premiership like Jamie Vardy [at Leicester City].

“Everyone is talking about it, and if Kane did sign for them it would be great news for everyone.”

Hitchin are back in league action on Saturday when they host Chippenham Town before Paulton Rovers come to Top Field on Monday evening.

That match could be moved if the Herts Senior Cup game against Sun Sports, which was postponed on Tuesday, is moved to next week.

Chippenham’s win over Bideford on Tuesday evening has seen them move up to second in the Southern Premier table, and Burke wants his side to start another run of form after Saturday’s FA Trophy defeat to Weston-super-Mare brought to an end a 10-game unbeaten run.