Town’s U18s are in action against Watford this morning at the UCL Training Ground, London Colney (KO 11am). The young Blues will be looking to put a run together after last week’s 1-0 victory over West Ham.

Meanwhile, academy manager Sammy Morgan says changes to the youth system currently being discussed which will see academies split into four categories won’t have too much of an effect on the Blues’ youth set-up: “The first draft of the proposals didn’t look good for clubs in the Football League.

“But the second draft, which is still under discussion, is not so severe and I’m hopeful that we’ll find ourselves in category two and be able to carry on in similar lines to what we are now.

“These changes are driven by the Premier League and, although the Football League is the poor relation, we must ensure that we do not lose out to the big boys on this.

“This would see us able to play category one clubs, which would be an advantage when it comes to recruitment.

“And we would still be able to take in boys from ages eight and nine and the rules about boys having to live within 90 minutes of a club would still apply, although perhaps category one clubs might get privileges.”

Category one status, aimed at Premier League sides, will involve residential accommodation, on-site schools and the resultant additional staff, which are likely to cost £4 million, more than four times Town’s current spending on their academy.

Photo: Action Images

Redmond added 11:04 - Mar 12 Good luck lads
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