Debut ... Young gun Danny de Silva with Glory coach Alistair Edwards. Source: Perth Glory / PerthNow
Perth Glory is set to blood 15-year-old midfielder Danny De Silva against a Sydney FC team boasting some of the A-League's biggest names on Saturday night.
Glory coach Alistair Edwards this morning confirmed the teenager would start on the bench for the crucial clash, which features two sides desperate for points to keep their finals ambitions on track.
De Silva, who turns 16 next week, will have the chance to become the youngest player to take to the field for Glory.
The Stirling Lions product joined the A-League club on a youth contract last month, having previously played under Edwards with the Australian Joeys.
Edwards described the attacking midfielder as one of the most talented young players to come through the WA pathway.
"I've been coaching Danny for the last couple of years with the Joeys, and he's an exciting talent coming through," Edwards said.
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"It's a wonderful opportunity not only for him, but for the club.
"It just sends a clear message to people within the state that if you're good enough, and you're talented enough, you're going to be given an opportunity."
If given an opportunity, De Silva will be sharing the nib Stadium turf with superstar Alessandro Del Piero and Australian greats Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton.
But Edwards said his young charge would not be overawed by the situation.
"He'll fit seamlessly, and he's trained really well during the week," Edwards said.
"But in saying that, he knows he's got a lot to do in terms of where he wants to be as a football player.
"He's turned back opportunities to go overseas to a number of big clubs, and that's another massive sign for the club moving forward - a player of that ability has decided to stay and continue his football education in Western Australia."
De Silva said he was "buzzing" ahead of his senior debut.
"I'll definitely give it my best shot - that's all I can do. Hopefully I can help the team out," he said.
"(Sydney FC) have quality players, and it's going to be amazing to play against a World Cup winner in Del Piero and the captain of the Socceroos.
"Perth Glory have given me an amazing opportunity and I definitely think it's going to help me in my football career."
De Silva was presented with his No.28 playing shirt by club great Bobby Despotovski after training this morning.
Edwards said the gesture was part of a push to build the culture of club and embrace its 17-year history.
"I know the tradition of the club has been lost over the years," he said.
"I'm not going to mask that.
"The simple fact is there are some fantastic people who have played for the club, and while Gareth Naven and myself are here, they're going to be fully embraced by the club moving forward."
In another boost for the club, Edwards said defender Michael Thwaite had rejected some "very big money offers" from a number of Asian clubs to remain in Perth.
Glory skipper Jacob Burns featured at training this morning but is still at least a week away from returning.
Perth sits in ninth spot on the A-League table but remains just five points shy of sixth place, while the Sky Blues sit outside the top six on goal difference.
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