Town's U18s face Southampton at the Saints' Marchwood training ground on Saturday morning (KO 11.30am). The young Blues are fresh from last week's 3-2 victory over Norwich with Jordan Rhodes, Kurt Robinson and Liam Barrett on the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, Town released three of the current crop of U16 players earlier in the week.

Right-back Alex Austin, midfielder Dan Easlea and striker Charlie Matthews have all been told they will not be offered scholarships starting at the beginning of 2008/09.

All three have been regularly involved with the U16s this season, helping them to nine wins on the bounce.

Austin has been an ever-present at right-back, whilst Easlea and Matthews have both netted three times during the campaign so far.

Of the current U16 squad, defender Luke Hyam, midfielders Jamie Griffiths and David Cawley, and Irish striker Ronan Murray have all been offered scholarships. However, Griffiths has missed most of the season so far with a foot problem.

Striker Connor Wickham, 14, has signed a two-year scholarship with the Blues. Wickham is the only player to have received one at such a young age, other than fellow striker Jack Ainsley.

Elsewhere, former academy defender Erkan Okay, now with Blue Square Premier side Histon, was in England C action earlier in the week in a 2-0 victory in Finland. The England C side is the non-league England team, previously known as the National Game XI.

Photo: Action Images

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