I was delighted to see two of our Academy players starting in the Carabao Cup last night with two more on the bench. It sends a positive signal to the rest that they can get opportunities to play with the first team and not just train with them (although training with the 1st team squad has merit as well).

Both Rodney and Phillips were on the tour to the Far East and featured in games there as well.

The lads get another opportunity to play 'men's football' next Monday against Swindon Town in the EFL Cup.

With five other Academy players out on loan in other leagues, it bodes well for the future. Not all of them will make it into our 1st team as regulars, of course, but there should be a reasonable number who can make a living out of being professional footballers in a lower league.

The U21s have started well in their league despite losing several of the better players in loans out which shows the depth of talent we have at that level. It seems we have a promising Academy set-up.