TWO “ambitious” Worcester City brothers have secured places in Jamie Vardy’s academy aimed at unearthing non-league gems.

Jordan and Cieron Keane are among 42 players to be selected for the new project set up by the England and Leicester City striker.

They will attend the V9 Academy at Manchester City’s Etihad Campus in June where they will get the chance to impress representatives from a host of professional clubs.

The five-day course will also be broadcast for a Sky Sports documentary to be shown later this year.

Television cameras were at Bromsgrove’s Victoria Ground last Saturday to see the duo in action in City’s 2-2 draw with Darlington in National League North.

Jordan believes Vardy’s scheme, which attracted more than 1,500 applicants, will help them to realise their dreams of playing in the Football League.

“I decided to sign up because I want to play higher. I don’t want to play in the National North my whole career,” said the 23-year-old who is an academy coach at Notts County.

“After I applied I didn’t think too much about it because only a select few get in but they watched us play and picked us.

“I think it is good (exposure) for Worcester as well as it gets their name out there.”

Jordan came through Stoke City’s youth set-up but failed to make a senior appearance as he went on loan to Tamworth before being released in 2014.

The versatile defender or midfielder had spells at Alfreton Town, Lincoln City and Nuneaton before following his younger brother to Worcester in November.

Despite dropping down the ladder Jordan insists Vardy is a shining example of a player who refused to give up on his lofty ambitions.

Vardy, 30, went from scoring goals in non-league for FC Halifax Town to winning the Premier League with Leicester in the space of five years.

“Vardy is a bit different as he has gone right to the top but there a lot of players who have gone from non-league into League One or League Two,” said the Nottingham-based player.

“There are a lot more (hidden gems) than everyone makes out.

“It doesn’t matter who you are playing against there are always one or two who you think are better than players you watch in the Football League.

“They are obviously there for a reason so it is up to you to get there. When you come down to non-league you see a lot of players who spend two or three seasons there and then give up.

“But I am not ready to give up on my ambitions yet.”

Cieron, an ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers trainee, featured in League One, making two outings for Notts County.

But following their relegation in 2015 the 20-year-old left-sided player was released and signed for Nuneaton before City came calling last summer.

“Cieron is younger than me so he has still got a few more years of learning and developing,” Jordan added.

“But he is good enough to be playing in the Football League and is ambitious as well.

“Obviously if you are not scoring 15 or 20 goals your name isn’t always getting thrown out there.

“I think is quite easy if you are a striker in non-league as your goals do your talking for you.

“Hopefully the Vardy academy will help promote us and if we do well we will see where it takes us.”