Boss Roy Keane says he has been impressed with young midfielder Billy Clark since he has come into the first team picture in recent weeks. The 18-year-old has made two brief substitute appearances so far and could be amongst a number of academy products involved against Sheffield United tomorrow.
Keane said: "There’s a good chance these boys could be involved Sunday if they train well on Friday and Saturday. We’re not going to play Sunday’s game for the sake of it.
"They’ve done well in the reserves over the last few and even when Billy came on last week in a cameo role, he looked assured. He got involved for the second goal, a nice, quick pass and there are nice little signs for me that he can deal with it.
"But obviously whether you start him is another matter because Sheffield United are a big, strong team, although these players will have to learn to cope with that if they want to play in the Championship, it’s a physically tough league.”
Former Northgate High School pupil Clark was recently offered his first professional contract, along with all six of his second-year academy team-mates, the first time the club has taken on an entire year’s scholars.
Clark, Tom Eastman, Ronan Murray, David Cawley, Luke Hyam and Jamie Griffiths have been given one-year deals, while Seb Dunbar has until September to prove he is worth a longer stay at the club.