Boss Roy Keane says midfielder Billy Clark might have been one of a number of debutants on Saturday had he not used some of his more senior players from the bench earlier in the game. However, the Town manager says more youngsters are likely to be involved in the remaining weeks of the season.

In addition to Clark, defenders Tom Eastman and Troy Brown and midfielder Luke Hyam were also named in the 18 for the Doncaster game.

Keane told the club site: "I would have liked to have given a couple of the other players a run out on Saturday but we made some early changes and could only get Billy on in the end.

"You can't go and throw three or four youngsters straight into the first team anyway, but they will have benefited from being on the bench and they will be involved over the next week or two. It's nice to have them in the group, they provide a lot of energy."

Keane says he is yet to decide who will be involved at a sell-out St James’ Park next Saturday: "We will see how the youngsters train. If they take it easy they won't be anywhere near Newcastle next week.

"We've got senior players in the reserves this week and lads like Carlos Edwards to come back from illness, so we will see how we are."

Edwards has been suffering with chicken pox, while loan striker David Healy picked up a knee injury in training last week but is likely to be fit in time for Saturday.

Photo: Action Images

Liverpool_blu added 17:44 - Apr 19 Billy is def one for the future. A very Good Midfield Player...
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tom_the_blue added 17:47 - Apr 19 Good to hear, though I'm sure people will still use this as an excuse to jump on Keane's back.
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Blueknight85 added 17:55 - Apr 19 i hope his football is better than his hair lol
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MadDogCal88 added 19:15 - Apr 19 Yeh Some Of The Youngsters Are Good Quallity And Think That Would Benefit From Playing First Team Football
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Mark added 19:36 - Apr 19 "The remaining weeks of the season" - there are only two games left! I wouldn't throw any new youngsters in at St. James Park to be honest, as if they are on the end of a hiding it wouldn't be good for their confidence. The Sheff Utd match will be a better option, especially in front of the home fans. Seeing some young players do well would give us more heart for next season and it is pleasing that we seem to have some promising lads.

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ITFCAlex added 19:43 - Apr 19 Does anyone know if Clark is an attacking or defensive midfielder? I agree 100% with Mark.
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Mungo added 20:10 - Apr 19 Agree absolutely Mark. Getting caned by Newcastle wont help their development at all, however, if its going ok after 70 mins or so perhaps one or two could come on as subs? Might as well send Healy back to Sunderland. No point him being here at all, as I would be very surprised if we tried to sign him in the summer.
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VILJOEN67 added 21:41 - Apr 19 There needs to be a complete change of strikers for next season , keep wickam obviously, an average of one goal per game and a top scorer with seven is unacceptable particularly having the highest ''shots on target'' in the championship. Who ? Hooper at scunthorpe, Lambert at Southampton, Rhodes at Huddesfield, Phillips at Birmingham. Almost anybody please who can get into double figures not players with a proven 1 goal in four games ratio. priority, priority priority priority please marcus

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peckhamblue added 21:43 - Apr 19 ITFCAlex, I think he is more of an attacking midfield player. Although I have seen him play all across the midfield. I think his best position is through the middle, playing just behind the strikers. I think he and a few other youngsters, should definitely be involved in the last two games - ahead of the likes of Quinn, Rosenior, Martin etc. Another 2 goals tonight in the reserve cup game will only help his chances..

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tipperarykeano added 22:10 - Apr 19 keane likes the youngsters because he can mould them into his way of playing...better players then they might other wise have been...if keane did a bad job at sunderland,why did colback and leadbitter go to ipswich ? i admit keane spent money at sunderland but he got them promoted ..sunderland got their money back....has bruce done any better of a job ? im a bruce fan ( man utd supporter )...bruce spent alot of money in the summer...bent,turner,cattermole,mensah,campbell,cana to name a few....look at the league table ? keane did a great job at sunderland ! ive never known an ex player cause so much publicity then keane and i love him ! the supporters at ipswich dont know what they have ! keane will deliver make no mistake...but he will do it his way...all the guys picking up their wages and not caring,will be gone..a new breed will imerge...young,hungry with a will to deliver...to all you tractor boys...keep the faith...the good times will come.

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dobbie73 added 08:50 - Apr 20 Thanks Tipperarykeano - it's good to hear some decent praise for Keano! Much as he hasn't really delivered yet, I (and many others) believe he hasn't really had the time yet, and slow as things are going, the good times are hopefully round the corner. Then there are others who have lost faith, and others that never had it! Good to see some of the young lads getting a chance - shows that our academy boys ARE being given a go, and this can only be good for the club and for the players' future. KEANO!!!

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Lightningboy added 13:40 - Apr 20 lol..Roy's not daft is he?..getting his excuses ready incase we get another newcastle battering.
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