Port Vale midfielder on trial in City U21s Exeter defeat

Walters, who turned 19 on November 18, is understood to have been on trial with other clubs after turning down a contract extension from the League Two side after their relegation from the third tier last season. 

There has been no formal announcement of a departure from Vale Park, but all signs points to Walters trying to earn a professional deal elsewhere. 

Walters made 21 senior appearances for the Valiants in their relegation campaign from League One last term, including 11 in the third tier, making five starts during that period. 

City are taking a closer look at the teenager, who partnered Uriah Djedje in the Premier League Cup Group A game against Exeter at Colney on Friday evening - lasting an hour before being replaced by striker Dan Ogwuru. 

Tony Springett, who recently returned ahead of schedule from a back injury, earned his first start of the season after being fast-tracked into City's senior matchday squads owing to the fitness crisis that Johannes Hoff Thorup has faced in recent weeks. 

City's first opportunity fell to Walters, but his effort was saved by the legs of Exeter keeper Harry Lee from close range. 

Exeter made strong appeals for a penalty prior to the break when Lucien Mahovo bundled the bright Amani Richards inside the area, but the referee waved away the appeals from the visitors. 

Ogwuru had a chance to put City ahead on the hour mark, but was unable to put his shot away from Lee in the Exeter goal. 

City were made to regret a host of squandered opportunities late on with substitute Brandon Forbes and Errol Mundle-Smith heading over in the closing stages of the encounter at City's Colney training base. 

Harmony Okwumo was dismissed in stoppage time after receiving his second yellow card from referee Ruebyn Ricardo. 

Exeter made City rue those missed chances when Tom Dean tapped home to secure the points for the Devon-based side. 

Lucien Mahovo (left) also featured for Norwich City U21s. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

The result leaves City bottom of their Premier League Cup group on one points with two matches and on the brink of elimination. They have to play Bristol City and Bromley knowing only two wins and some reliance on other results will be needed to progress to the knockout stages. 

Norwich City U21s (4-3-3): Ansen; Okwumo, Warner (C - Wilson, 46), Tomkinson, Mahovo; Walters (Ogwuru, 60), Djedje; Bridge, Manning, Mundle-Smith; Springett (Forbes, 46). Subs not used: Finch (GK), Chilvers

Bookings: Okwumo 61, Djedje 86

Red cards: Okwumo (second bookable offence, 90+4)

Exeter City U21s (3-4-3): Lee; James (C), Cummins, McDonald (Billington, 57); Cayless (Perkins, 88), Richards, Dean, Oakes; Cutler (Wilson, 77), Beardmore (Edgecombe, 78); Richards. Subs not used: Shanahan (GK)

Goals: Dean 90+5

Bookings: Edgecombe 80, Oakes 87, Cummins 89, Richards 90+4