Boss Mick McCarthy says one or two of the new intake of full-time academy scholars have already impressed both him and some of the club’s senior pros. Last week, Town announced that 10 youngsters, many of them local, will begin two-year scholarships in the summer.

McCarthy says they are already familiar to him from Playford Road, although most tend to be some way off the first team at 16, with the occasional exception.

“They’re generally miles off the first team at that age group, certainly coming in," he said. "There’s the certain odd one that stands out, as Dozzer has, as Bish did actually, as a kid with his ability.

“But I see them every day because we’re all in the same building and on a lot of occasions they train with us.

“There’s many a Monday morning where we just put them all together and have a big seven, eight or nine-a-side competition and just have a look at them, just to get the first-teamers who have played [at the weekend] back playing and we let them join in.

“So I do get a good viewing of them, I see quite a bit of them. I’ve not seen them play matches because they play on a Saturday.”

Asked whether there are any who he believes could be involved with the first-team squad within the next couple of years, he cited Zimbabwe-born, Colchester-raised box-to-box midfielder Tristan Nydam (pictured), who is on standby for the England U17s squad for the European Championships which start in Azerbaijan later this week and is one of those who has already trained with the Town first team.

“Tristan Nydam, he’s a really good player,” McCarthy said. “I won’t go through them all because I don’t know all their names off the top of my head, but he’s the one that’s stood out for us.

“There are a couple of them, actually. They’ve trained with us, they’ve trained with the first team.

“What’s always nice when they train with the first team is that the first-teamers go, ‘I like that!’.

“Some of the older players, the likes of Chambo, Skusey and Dougie, they recognise when they’ve trained against them [and they’ve been impressed] and will ask who they are. There are two or three of them who have stood out.”

Elsewhere, former Blues striker and academy product Jack Marriott carried off the Player of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, Internet Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season and Away Player of the Season gongs at Luton’s end of season awards dinner on Sunday.

The 21-year-old joined the League Two Hatters last summer following his release by Town and has scored 14 goals in 24 starts and 19 sub appearances so far during 2015/16 with one to play.

Photo: Action Images

BlueMachines added 14:18 - May 3 So why didn't he play before February? What about the previous 6months? Surely that is enough time to make an impact?
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PhilTWTD added 14:43 - May 3 Mr_Evans Installing the 3G pitch - actually one whole outdoor pitch and one half-sized pitch in the done - is £750,000, according to the club. The FieldTurf behind the Co-op Stand isn't up to standard for academy purposes, and anyway think the pitch has to be at the academy rather than elsewhere. The FieldTurf pitch does get used very regularly, both during the day and in the evenings for things like the Advance Coaching Programme.

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Seasider added 15:32 - May 3 Carlisleaway-Although Phil hasn't mentioned it;but think the 3G pitch isn't being done voluntarily by Mr Evans,as it is now a requirement for Cat2
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Seasider added 15:33 - May 3 Perhaps somebody could confirm this?
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PhilTWTD added 16:28 - May 3 Seasider Yes, is a new requirement of Cat Two, although I think the standard of pitches being installed are also up to Cat One.
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cats_whiskers added 16:29 - May 3 Ha, The Poisoned Arrow has once again been about You know the one I mean Starts with "essex" and is one on the Heinz 57 variety... But not quite as tasty as they are seriously lacking Flavour
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essex57 added 19:05 - May 3 Cats whiskers you get a disagree arrow because i dont agree with you and your anti club rhetoric theres no need ti be rude about it this is an open forum to express views oh and i notice im not the only person to disagree with you.
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ITFCRealist added 22:52 - May 3 How can the Dinosaur not know their names, that's appalling man management. I am certain Sir Alf and Sir Bobby would have made an effort The man is an embarrassment to our once great club.
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harlingblue added 02:42 - May 4 If the kids are alright (thanks The Who), put the brightest together and get them used to playing as a team in certain youth games, even if there is a slight age difference. Keep to total football principals, be comfortable on the ball with either foot in all positions, pass, move and demand. Be prepared to lose a few games while the team gels. Then reap the rewards of bringing a whole bunch of good footballers through the ranks. I am mystified as to why a footballer that is coached from such a young age cannot use both feet with comfort and head a ball. Pace is something you are blessed with, it cannot be taught but speed of thought can be, if you have both then you have the lot.

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