Hughes looking to blood youngsters

"There are a number of players who are very much in my thoughts. It's about circumstances leading into games, and the expectations, and whether or not we get into the position in games where we can bring players on in a positive atmosphere and allow them to develop slowly in the correct manner.

"We have to look at how the squad is. We've probably lost Pablo for a number of games and the opportunities will present themselves. We still need to win Premier League games, that's important for us. But if the opportunity presents itself to blood a young player, we'll have a look at that.

"Sometimes when you have a game like West Brom, for instance, to throw a young kid on wouldn't be fair to him or the team, so it's about getting the timing right when you are introducing young players.

"You look to try and introduce them in front of a home crowd when maybe you are leading a game and are in a comfortable position. That's when you look to blood them."

>>mcfc.co.uk

It is always good to see young Academy players given their head in the first team, and there is no doubt a talented crop on the cusp of the senior side at the moment.

If we do haul ourselves back into the race for seventh spot and given some of the difficult fixtures we have, I do wonder quite how many opportunities there may be though.