As the end of the season approaches, our Academy youngsters have just one game left this weekend when they travel to Derby County and James Collins has expressed his delight in how well the boys have done this season and the potential that they are showing.

With a good run in the Youth Cup earlier in the season, eventually being knocked out by Aston Villa's youth, and a good place in the FA Premier League alongside the Academies of Manchester United and Liverpool, James and the other coaching staff are deservedly pleased with the way the season as run out and the ability of the boys.

James says: "The boys have been a good group, and they are a good group, the league position says that.

"Having said that, we don't like to rely too much on the League positions but Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Everton - we are in that group, hopefully that is a good indication of where the boys are.

"If you are mixing it with the likes of those clubs at under 18 level then you know that you have some good players."