Collins says youngsters can look up to former Academy graduates

Having previously worked with them in the Academy and now within the first-team frame, coach James Collins says it does seem a bit strange to him that the likes of Adam Dugdale, Matt Tootle and Harry Davis are now regarded as senior players!

Collins has told the club’s official web-site that the new first year professionals signed by the club in the summer can only learn by the professionalism of that trio.

James said: “You look around the squad and it does look on the young side, but that is always the case here. People tend to forget how many games our young players have played.

“Harry, Toots and Duggy have played a lot of games in their careers and have played in big games. It is strange for me to regard them as senior players because I remember them as kids in the Academy, but that is what this club is all about.

“I suppose we will be regarding Ben Garratt as a senior player soon enough!

“I think they are great role models. They have shown what can be achieved and I think it is healthy for the younger players to have role models like them.”