Blues boss Kieran McKenna says 20-year-old midfielder Fin Barbrook has been a been a “big positive” of pre-season and that decisions will be made on where he and fellow youngsters Cameron Humphreys and Elkan Baggott will spend their campaigns over the course of the next month.

Barbrook, who hails from Southwold, has been involved with the first team throughout pre-season with the Blues short on central midfielders following the departures of loanees Kalvin Phillips and Jens Cajuste - although the Swede may well return - skipper Sam Morsy, who moved to Kuwait SC, and the release of Massimo Luongo, who subsequently signed for Millwall.

The midfielder, whose twin brother Harry was released in the summer and joined Chelmsford City, where they had both previously had loans, spent a successful spell on loan with Sutton United in the National League last season, winning the Amber and Chocolates’ Players’ Player and Young Player of the Year awards.

Humphreys, 21, had a similarly successful loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers in League One and will be hoping to have done enough in pre-season to get himself in McKenna’s plans for the season ahead.

We understand Luton Town, managed by Matt Bloomfield, his Chairboys’ manager in the first half of 2024/25 and who also coached him in the Blues’ academy, are monitoring his situation and the Hatters are unlikely to be the only club hoping to recruit the Colchester-born midfielder for the year ahead either on a loan or permanent basis.

Baggott, 22, had a frustrating loan spell at Blackpool, also in League One, last season, injuries limiting his involvement to 17 starts and three sub appearances in all competitions.

Nevertheless, manager Steve Bruce praised the Indonesia international’s contribution on and off the field while at Bloomfield Road.

Asked about his plans for the trio following Saturday’s 3-0 friendly victory at Auxerre in France, McKenna says none of them will be going anywhere immediately.

“We need everyone at the moment, so for everyone in the club the next step is Birmingham on Friday night and getting ready for Monday,” he said. “I’d certainly include Fin in that as well with where we’re at.

“I think they’ve all had good pre-seasons, Cameron and Elkan we know what to expect from them now, we know how high their standards are and what they can contribute. They’re very important to the squad at the moment.

“We’ll assess things over the next month and see how the squad shapes up and, of course, try and always find the right balance between giving ourselves enough options and squad depth and quality but also trying to do the right things for our important young players in terms of their progression.

“Fin’s been a big positive of pre-season, the first one he’s really spent with us all the way through. It’s been an opportunity presented to him there, in terms of the midfield positions and he’s really stepped into it and it’s been a really positive pre-season for him.”

Photo: Matchday Images

atty added 17:33 - Aug 3 Great for Barbrook, suspense for Humphreys and l think another loan or sale for Baggott. Humphreys is the difficult one. Could he Bea squad member now? Might have to be if can’t get players in!
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trevski_s added 18:04 - Aug 3 I think Barbrook had a great pre-season, maybe play him in the Bromley game and see what happens from there to decide whether to use him or loan him out. I would like to see Humphreys stay this season as I could see him being someone to come off the bench or be used in rotation with the tougher schedule. Baggott im not too sure on as with his injury last season we didnt get much chance to see him so probably another loan out with a view to a permanent move

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ArnieM added 18:13 - Aug 3 Excellent news re Barbrook. I think we're going to need players like this coming through . The transfer market is just a basket case now in my humble view....
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dirtydingusmagee added 18:17 - Aug 3 Well some good news after all the bad news this week,I wish them luck where ever they play this season.
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Bergholtblue added 18:47 - Aug 3 Send them on loan to ITFC. About time we took a punt on our promising youngsters
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ringwoodblue added 18:48 - Aug 3 Agreed Arnie. I know new signings are exciting but I’d keep all these youngsters and develop from within. Barbrook and Humphreys could be better than Hackney in a few years time if given the chance. They know the club, the players and McKenna’s coaching style and hopefully can stay fit. Don’t send them out on loan again please.
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DavoIPB added 19:18 - Aug 3 In other words, see who we sign and if we don't sign anybody then keep the youngsters.
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ArnieM added 19:35 - Aug 3 Ringwoodblue: I cant really recall the last time we saw our kids come through and get played in our team, even in cup games. I think the naming of squad numbers doesn't help thus inwards development either. I've waited ages to see Baggott get given his chance here. Will it ever happen? Humphries is another one. We need to start giving them a chance . If the club dont think they're good enough and therefore loan them out, maybe we should just sell them and bring in PL academy players who cant get a foot hold at their clubs, but are better than our academy products ...

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OldClactonBlue added 20:28 - Aug 3 Baggott has always looked very good when he's played for the First Team. Yes, I get that he has had some injury problems but it would be mad to jettison him without a proper evaluation.
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 22:15 - Aug 3 I understand the comments about keeping them and playing them and if this was 7 or 8 years ago I'd agree. The thing is we are favourites for the title this year and that's a really tough time to bring through youngsters and give them game time in the first team. This is a genuine question: Is Cameron Humphries better off being the fifth (As we will sign two good midfielders before the window closes) midfielder in midfield two here or starting 30 odd games at a team further down? He might work his way higher up the pecking order but we won't be signing mugs and he's not getting ahead of Taylor and Matusiwa.

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SuperTabby added 22:31 - Aug 3 I’m hoping Cam can be in the squad this season. He was very good in League 1 for a team that finished 5th, he’s definitely got the technical ability for the Championship. He can play as one of the midfielders in front of Azor, I think he could play that 10 role as well, plus he could even provide a bit of cover at LB (seem to remember him playing fairly well there v QPR a couple of season ago). He just lacks a bit of the physicality we need. Barbrook needs a loan and I think we either need to sell or loan Baggott.

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runningout added 00:34 - Aug 4 the assessing surely is there for all to see. Let’s say football is harsh at this level. Humphreys Baggott Al Hamadi haven’t stepped up and should move on if they’re not taking opportunities. Barbrook is new kid on the block
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PhuketPete added 02:20 - Aug 4 We can all speculate on whether loans, sales or whatever are best but in the club’s current situation, they’re all staying - as KM said. We’re down net 4 experienced outfielders after summer moves (do we now regret letting Sam go?), and are a further 4 down to longish term injuries not including Leif (?)…. We better hope we don’t pick up further injuries in the next week or two. Meantime as things stand we’re 9 senior players down and it’s far from certain we’ll get Jens back. Unless several things change for the better I can see us refusing to sell Omari and Broadie (good) and keeping all the youngsters here at least until the Jan window.

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Dissboyitfc added 06:41 - Aug 4 our rapid increase up into the premier league will have certainly happened too quickly for our yongsters to keep up, they certainly wouldn't have been the answer last season and they may not quite be the answer this season! I like others love to see youngsters coming through the system!
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