Ken Bates hinted today that a few more academy players could follow Johnny Howson into the first team, so it's time to have a closer look at our younger players.

To Ell and back.org asked Neale Sheldon of the Stoke Whites to give us a report on the youth prospects.

Neale has watched Leeds Youth and Reserve Team football for over 30 years and has seen numerous players progress through the ranks over the years, from the last of the Revie boys such as Byron Stevenson, Gwyn Thomas and Peter Hampton, Armfield's intake such as Neil Firm and John Lukic,

Adamson's intake such as Martin Dickinson, Terry Connor and David Seaman, through to the likes of Wright, Sellars and Sheridan, Batty, Speed and Grayson, the first F.A Youth Cup winning side of Noel Whelan, Jamie Forrester etc.

Getting back on track we asked Neale about the lads who have progressed under Neil Thompson and Daryl Pugh recently.

Last season saw the youth team field several different keepers at u19 level. There are 3 of them who are now on pro contracts Jon Lund, Alan Martin and Matty Edwards. Martin came down from Scotland with a bagful of scottish youth caps to his name whilst both Lund and Edwards had lengthy spells out with injury. All three are decent keepers on their day,however i'd shade Lund as the pick of the bunch.

At right back we have Scott Gardner who has played for the 1st team, but quietly efficent Liam Darville had a steady season at right back.

At left back we have Ben Parker who has been unlucky to have been loaned out for the past two seasons and 16 yr old Aiden White should be one of the lads being "fast tracked" in the Reserves this season.

Ross Wilkinson had a quieter second season as an apprentice and was playing with a shin splint injury for several months, Ross is more of a ball playing centre back, and needs to step up his game from being a regular reserve player.

Andrew Milne another centre back is like Darville, in his 2nd yr as apprentice, and again is a player with no frills who you tend not to notice in a match (unless he goes on a Neil Aspin type on run).

Midfielders such as Cartman, Delph, Hotchkiss and Ovington will be in their 1st year as Pro's. All have different qualities, Delph has a good turn of pace, while Hotchkiss (pictured above) likes to dictate the pace of a game and is a dead ball specalist.

Cartman needs a bit more consistancy in his performances,however he seems to be the one that fills in either in midfield or upfront.

Ovington can play on the right wing or up front alongside a big striker, he has the knack of losing his marker and getting tap ins in the 6 yd box.

Tom Elliott up front will still only be in his 2nd yr as apprentice, his pace and height will cause problems.

It is difficult to predict which lads are the managers favorites, all have a chance , but it takes a brave manager to chuck even a couple of kids into the team, never mind 3 or 4 of them.

Of the players above Delph and Ovington would cause opponents problems,wheras Hotchkiss could be the man if you have a free kick on 89 mins.

The one thing the youngsters have got over more experienced players who have journeyed into Leeds, is, "the kids are not afraid" they already know about the pressure of being a Leeds player.

Many thanks to Neale for his help with this article.

Photo: Action Images

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