Kieron Dyer expects 17-year-old midfielder Tristan Nydam - or Tristan Dyer, as he jokingly refers to him - to make his Town first-team debut before the end of the season.
The Zimbabwe-born, Colchester-raised academy product was on the bench for the first time for a competitive game at Huddersfield at the weekend, having previously come on as a sub for the senior side in the pre-season friendly at Cambridge United.
Dyer is a big fan of the first-year scholar, who he has kept a close eye on as he has progressed through the academy.
Nydam, who signed a pro deal in November, was on standby for the England U17s ahead of the European Championships last summer.
"Tristan will definitely make his debut before the end of the season,” Dyer told TWTD. "He’s been injured all over Christmas so I was surprised to see him on the bench because I don’t think he’s had much training or football.
"He’s an all-action player, he’s a completely different player to Andre Dozzell. Whereas Andre is more of a creator when he gets on the ball, Tristan is up and down the pitch, has an engine, is fast, strong, can tackle, can pass.
"I always joke and call him ‘Tristan Dyer’ because he’s quick and he’s got an engine, he can run all day. He’s definitely one to watch out for.
"He’s a humble boy, the way he plays is the way he trains, 110 per cent. He has a great attitude.
"Mick was probably never going to bring him on at Huddersfield because we were losing and the team are so fragile at the moment, but hopefully once we’re safe and there are a few games left before the end of the season, I definitely think Mick will give him a go.” Meanwhile, Barnsley wideman or striker Marley Watkins is reported to have handed in a transfer request at Oakwell. The 26-year-old is said to be interesting a number of clubs, including the Blues, who had a £1 million offer for him rebuffed in August, and Bristol City. Watkins, who previously played for Terry Butcher at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, is out of contract at the end of the season. Some Barnsley sources also claim Town are monitoring the situation of 23-year-old Tykes midfielder Josh Scowen, who is also out of contract in the summer. Scowen joined Barnsley from Wycombe Wanderers in January 2015 for a fee of £240,000.What to read next:
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